Poll Shows Children Easily Access Disturbing Web Content
Posted on: Tuesday, 21 October 2008, 13:04 CDT
An NSPCC poll suggests that three out of four children have seen images on the Internet they found disturbing.
Computer manufacturers and retailers are now being asked by the charity to install security to stop children from finding violent or sexual content.
The NSPCC polled visitors to its children's website There4me.com and said it was "alarmed" by the accessibility of potentially disturbing material.
Of those children polled, 377 of 497 votes cast claimed to have been disturbed by Internet images.
One child posted a comment on a There4me message board saying: "I've seen violent images I didn't search for. I was freaked out."
One eight-year-old girl's search for pictures of animals generated pornography adverts.
Now social networking and video hosting are being urged by the NSPCC to remove offensive material within hours of finding it.
The NSPCC was alarmed by how easy it was for children to access disturbing Internet material, said Policy adviser Zoe Hilton.
"Children are just a few clicks away from innocently stumbling across upsetting or even dangerous pictures and films such as adult sex scenes, violent dog fights, people self-harming and children being assaulted."
Every child should be using a computer with child protection software, Hilton said.
"High-security parental controls installed in their computers would help shield them.
"Currently computer manufacturers and retailers leave it to parents to find and install software that filters out material unsuitable for children. This can be a complicated process for customers."
Retailers are being asked to ensure the software is installed before selling computers, and also manufacturers to start building such controls into their products.
"Social networking sites must also put more effort and resources into patrolling their sites for harmful and offensive material and ensure their public complaints systems are clearly marked, easy-to-use and child-friendly.
"We would also recommend they give information on their sites about sources of help and advice, such as Childline, for children who have been affected by what they have seen."
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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