Social network worry over children

Nearly half of nine to 12-year-old internet users in the UK have a profile on a social networking site.

The European Commission (EC) poll found 43 per cent of youngsters in the age group had such a profile, with the figure rising to 88 per cent for those aged between 13 and 16.

However, only about 10 per cent in both categories set their profile to “public”, allowing everyone to see it, including addresses and phone numbers if included.

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Across Europe, on average, 38 per cent of nine to 12-year-olds have an internet profile, compared with 77 per cent of those aged between 13 and 16. A third of them have open access to their details.

The figures are in a survey of 25,000 youngsters in 25 European countries, conducted for the EC and published by the EUKidsOnline network.

The commission said the findings confirmed the importance of a forthcoming review of its two-year-old deal with major networking sites on safer internet use.

Neelie Kroes, EU Commissioner for the digital agenda, said: “Growing numbers of children are on social networking sites but many are not taking all necessary steps to protect themselves online.

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“These children are placing themselves in harm’s way, vulnerable to stalkers and groomers.”

He called on all social networking companies to set profiles by default for youngsters only to an approved list of contacts.

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