Parents should be familiar with social networking sites

09:16 3rd March 2009

Parents should be familiar with social networking websites in order to help their children be safer on the internet, according to Childnet International.

Lucinda Fell, policy and communications manager at Childnet International, said that while the internet offers a terrific learning resource for children, a lack of awareness or careful use generates potent risks.

With Cyber Sentinel revealing that teenagers spend over 30 hours a week using the internet, parents could pursue computer training courses to learn more about social networking sites and other elements of the web.

Ms Fell said: "There are potential risks such as cyber-bullying, the misuse of and disclosure of personal information and contact by adults with a sexual interest in children."

She added that if parents and guardians have a more thorough understanding of the sites their children are visiting, they can help protect them from more malevolent online presences.

Cyber Sentinel revealed that teenagers spend over 90 minutes a week on soft porn websites.