A public Internet literacy and safety campaign, aimed at adults in particular, is the only solution to the problem, according to the Institute for Public Policy ResearchCitizens Online document by Sonia Livingstone, professor of social psychology at the London School of Economics. This is because technical solutions such as filtering are flawed and at best only a partial answer.

The report calls for a three-pronged approach. As well as a campaign, a “Surfing Proficiency Certificate” should be launched to ensure all children have a basic understanding of Net literacy and safety issues. To help parents, Professor Livingstone advocates a co-ordinated response for home, school and community from all agencies involved.

She believes the initiatives would help alleviate the “climate of anxiety” that leads many parents to heavily restrict their children’s Internet use.

According to Professor Livingstone, many parents discourage use of email and chatrooms, yet they are what motivates children to gain the skills and confidence needed to move on to more “approved” online activities.

However, she does not want to see pupils go online with no guidance: “While some teachers and parents appear to hope that Internet literacy will emerge spontaneously, provided children gain sufficient hands-on experience, this may prove a naive approach.”

The lack of Net education means some children visit only a handful of websites and their lack of effective search skills makes seeking information a “frustrating and perplexing” experience.

Professor Livingstone said a surfing certificate would allow children to gain these skills and ensure those whose schools fail them do not slip through the net.

The Government last month launched a pound;1.5 million advertising campaign to help parents “wise up“to the Web and convince them that Internet chatrooms are not dangerous.

Chris Johnston

“Online Freedom and Safety for Children” can be read at www.citizensonline.co.uk