Parents still have no idea about kids online

 

Parents alarmingly admit to regularly leaving their kids to surf alone a new poll reveals.

 

A huge 76 per cent of parents admit they leave children as young as five years old on their own when they are on the internet.

 

The poll reveals the average child is left alone online for more than two hours every week, enough time to be accessing unsuitable content.

 

The poll conducted by CyberSentinel, is providing new software to UK parents for the first time.

 

The software allows parents to enter key words such as credit card numbers and phone numbers so they know the child has been giving them out over the internet.

More than half of parents polled believed that by being the in next room to their child they believed they were close enough to monitor their child’s activity.

 

More than a third admitted to having no idea what their child was actually looking at.

 Leading educationalist Jacqueline Harding MA, Cert Ed says: “British
parents seem to have absolutely no idea that by leaving their children
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.

 

“For instance, if your child accidentally typed ‘Cboobies’ instead of ‘Cbeebies’ they could be directed to a number of websites which featured topless women – hardly appropriate viewing for young children.”

“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 arguments and underhand behaviour. Using an effective internet safety package combined with having open discussions with your children on e-safety, helps to maximise your child’s online freedom – within safe boundaries, set by you.”