04/07/2006

Social networking sites placed under scrutiny

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has announced a series of workshops designed to examine the growing phenomenon of social networking sites.

The popular websites, which include the likes of MySpace and Bebo, offer users the opportunity to create their own profile and contact other users of the website and are highly popular with teenagers.

The workshops, which will be held in the week commencing July 17, will feature a cross-section of young people, parents, educators and key online industry players discussing the online trend and how young people can stay safe in this virtual environment.

Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of CEOP, said: "These events are being held as part of CEOP's commitment to understanding the online environment better, to make it safer for children and to deter those individuals who prey on children in this virtual world.

"A survey by the London School of Economics shows that 1 in 12 children have met someone offline who they initially encountered in an online environment. Social networking sites provide great opportunities for young people to meet and share experiences. But with this freedom comes a degree of risk and the need to act responsibly. We know that where children go online, so do those who seek to abuse them."

(KMcA/SP)

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