The government has launched a £1 million advertising campaign aimed at highlighting the danger of paedophiles on the internet.

The campaign, which aims to stop paedophiles from contacting children online, will also try to make parents and youngsters aware of how to surf the web safely.

There will also be a new set of guidelines for Internet Service Providers (ISP's) with measures including the provision of clear warning information, and ways for children to report problems online.

Welcoming the broadcasting of the new campaign in Northern Ireland, SDLP assembly member Patricia Lewsley said: "This campaign is a welcome move in raising awareness of the dangers of allowing children to use online chatrooms without supervision. Parents do not let their children speak or meet with strangers face to face but they also need to be as vigilant in terms of internet safety.

"Hopefully these advertisements will give parents some helpful hints on how to ensure that their children can safely benefit from the internet as a learning communications resource.

"Children also need to be educated on internet safety measures such as never disclosing their phone number or address online and bringing an adult if they are meeting someone they have met through a chatroom."

According to research published last year, around five million youngsters under 16 are estimated to have private access to the internet, and nearly half of 16-year-olds use chatrooms.

The £1 million television, radio and website campaign is being broadcast throughout January.

(MB)