DadTalk

Cybersafety

“Six in 10 children have suffered a 'negative experience' online. Youngsters are exposed to nudity, violence and unwelcome attention.” according to Norton's Family Report.

“Six in 10 children have suffered a 'negative experience' online. Youngsters are exposed to nudity, violence and unwelcome attention.”

The findings come from Norton's Family Report, an annual survey carried out by the security company, which questioned 2,800 children and more than 7,000 adults worldwide about their online habits and behaviour.

The study found that children spend an average of 24 hours online every week, while more than half of those questioned said they had been bullied online, exposed to inappropriate content, or encouraged to meet up with someone they knew from cyberspace in real life.

One fifth of children said they regretted something they'd done online, while 39 per cent of youngsters said negative online experiences made them feel angry. Around two-thirds said such experiences made them feel upset, afraid or fearful and worried.

Although the study found that 45 per cent of parents were aware that their children had been exposed to inappropriate or upsetting content on the web, children actually wanted more parental involvement in their online lives.