Parents Worry About Kids Accessing Grown Up Websites

It's too easy for children to access social network sites - that are not meant for them. That's the main finding of research by the NSPCC today, as they launch a new campaign to get families talking about socialising safely online.

At least three quarters of parents surveyed by the NSPCC found sexual, violent, or other inappropriate content on sites they reviewed within half an hour of logging into the sites.

Those aimed at younger children, like Club Penguin, Moshi Monsters, Popjam and Bearville, fared better and parents did not find any unsuitable content on them.

Amy Wilson, a mum of three from Leeds, is supporting the NSPCC’s Share Aware campaign and said: "I do use the Internet on a daily basis and I use Twitter and facebook, but I use them in quite a limited capacity. I use facebook simply to keep in touch with friends and family and Twitter is for work.

"I have started talking to my eldest daughter who is 10 about the internet as she is becoming aware of social media, but at this stage I have simply told her she cannot use social media sites at her age. She has accepted this for now, but I am sure she will remain curious and want to use it in the future!

"At the moment none of my children use social media, but they are aware of cyber bullying and I have heard my eldest daughter talking about friends who have had unkind comments made about them after posting photos of themselves online. I think social networking is an undeniable part of our social lives now and I think it is better to manage it and enjoy it, rather than deny it and be afraid of it, but to do this some parents need practical advice that’s why I am supporting the NSPCC’s Share Aware campaign."

When asked if she felt confident about how to get help and advice about internet safety for her children, Amy said: "Ironically, if I needed help and advice I would turn to the Internet. I have used the NSPCC's guidelines around talking to my children in the past so would turn to them again for help in choosing the right language. I have always talked openly and regularly with my children about keeping happy and safe so hopefully it would be just an extension of conversations we are already having. It’s really important that parents understand the internet and its possible dangers for their children. If you talk regularly to your children about keeping happy and safe already, then the conversation about staying safe online is a simple extension of that. I recommend that other parents take a look at the NSPCC’s advice."

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: "Children are taught from an early age that it is good to share but doing so online can be very dangerous. We must all be Share Aware. This Christmas many children will have been given a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a games console. So it’s the perfect opportunity for parents to have that important conversation with their children about who they are talking to and what they share when they socialise online. "We know that children do take risks online, sometimes without realising it. And we know some parents feel confused by the internet – out of their depth, and out of control. Our Share Aware campaign gives parents straightforward, no-nonsense advice that will help them to untangle the web and feel confident talking to their children about online safety. "Keeping children safe online is the biggest child protection challenge of this generation. Parents have a vital role to play but we want social networking sites to respond to parental concerns about their children’s safety and privacy. The NSPCC will continue to challenge and work with internet companies and the Government to make the internet a safer place for children."

The NSPCC’s Share Aware campaign is aimed at parents of 8 to 12-year-old children and also features two animations to be shown on prime time TV and digital spaces. I Saw Your Willy and Lucy And The Boy are engaging films with a serious message that follow the stories of two children who share too much about themselves online. Both films contain the simple message that although children are taught that it’s good to share, this is not always the case online. You can find out more about the NSPCC campaign at www.nspcc.org.uk/shareaware and join the debate on social media by following #ShareAware. Anyone looking for advice about keeping children safe online, or concerned about the safety and welfare of a child, can contact the NSPCC’s 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk