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08/01/2004
Parents warned over internet 'grooming' dangers
Parents should use filtering and monitoring software to protect their children when using the internet, according to a new campaign.
From tomorrow children will be told of the dangers that chatrooms and mobile phones present to their personal safety through radio, cinema and online adverts. Parents will also have access to a 'jargon buster' to help them to talk to their children more effectively about the internet.
An independent study found that the number of children using chat rooms and mobile phones willing to give out their e-mail address fell from 40% to 27% following a previous campaign in 2001.
This is the third phase of the campaign from the government's Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet. The body was set up following a number of serious cases of internet 'grooming'.
Home Office Minister Paul Goggins said: "The first two phases of our awareness campaign have been very successful with significant increases in the number of parents giving safety advice to their children and in the number of children who know not to give out their personal details online.
"But we cannot be complacent; we want to continue to do everything we can to make sure that children are aware that people are not always who they say they are on the internet."
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 introduced a new 'grooming' offence that carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment.
(gmcg)
From tomorrow children will be told of the dangers that chatrooms and mobile phones present to their personal safety through radio, cinema and online adverts. Parents will also have access to a 'jargon buster' to help them to talk to their children more effectively about the internet.
An independent study found that the number of children using chat rooms and mobile phones willing to give out their e-mail address fell from 40% to 27% following a previous campaign in 2001.
This is the third phase of the campaign from the government's Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet. The body was set up following a number of serious cases of internet 'grooming'.
Home Office Minister Paul Goggins said: "The first two phases of our awareness campaign have been very successful with significant increases in the number of parents giving safety advice to their children and in the number of children who know not to give out their personal details online.
"But we cannot be complacent; we want to continue to do everything we can to make sure that children are aware that people are not always who they say they are on the internet."
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 introduced a new 'grooming' offence that carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment.
(gmcg)
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