PRESS RELEASE: Cybersentinal
Written: Monday 9th February, 2009
IN THE KNOW
NEWS COPY
British parents haven't a clue what their children are getting up to on the home computer, according to new research.
Over three quarters of parents admit they regularly leave their children alone when they are online.
And the average child is left alone on the net for more than TWO HOURS every week, giving them plenty of time to access inappropriate material such as pornography.
The poll of 2,000 parents was conducted by Cyber Sentinel, a new software solution that offers parents the ability to block websites and monitor internet use.
TV childcare guru Professor Tanya Byron has backed the findings and called for parents to take more responsibility for their children's online exposure.
The star of Little Angels and The House of Tiny Tearaways said: ''The survey found that 63 per cent of parents recognise they are responsible for protecting their children online, which is a great start.
''Whilst parents may be tempted to prohibit the internet use of their children, this is not the answer and may be counter-productive by causing family argument and underhand behaviour.
''Using an effective internet safety package combined with having open discussions with your children on e-safety, helps to maximize your child's online freedom - within safe boundaries - set by you.''
More than half of the parents polled believe that by being in the next room they are close enough to hear and monitor what their child is doing on the computer.
But over a third (37 per cent) admit they usually have no idea what their child is looking at while online, and one in five wouldn't know how to check what sites their child has been accessing once they had logged off.
Most parents claim their child had to be at least 12 years old before they were trusted to be alone with the computer 100 per cent of the time.
Three quarters of parents believe their child fully understands the dangers associated with talking to strangers online.
But 60 per cent readily admit their child never tells them who they have been talking to online.
Leading educationalist Jacqueline Harding said children can easily stumble across websites they do not intend to access.
She cited the example of BBC kids website 'Cbeebies' - if 'Cboobies' is typed into Google by mistake it returns several sites featuring topless women.
Ms Harding said: ''British parents seem to have absolutely no idea that by leaving their little ones alone online, they are exposing them to a number of risks.
''Without parental controls and appropriate e-safety software in place, most children could accidentally access unsavoury websites and become vulnerable to a range of risks - from cyber bullying to gambling; suicide to self harm and grooming by online predators.
''Parents need to combine the appropriate level of presence and supervision with the right software methods to ensure their kids are safe at all times.''
Ellie Puddle of Cyber Sentinel added: ''In the same way that we teach our children how to cross the road, we should also teach them to navigate their way safely online.
''Innocent or deliberate mistakes can be made by children that direct them to online material that is potentially negative.''
ENDS
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
