Kids become internet experts

Young web users see themselves as the main internet experts in their home, according to a new report. A new report from the London School of Economics, UK Children Go Online, looks at children's use of the internet. It reveals that kids are using the internet to find information for school and to keep in touch with friends and relatives. The report also claims that most young people understand the risks of chat rooms and of meeting strangers and paedophiles. They see little point in talking to strangers on the internet and regard unknown online contacts as "dodgy". Author of the report, professor Sonia Livingstone, said: "The safety message has definitely got through to young people and many are leaving chat rooms in favour of instant messaging with their friends. However, we found young people were still relatively trusting and uncritical about internet material." The report recommends that parents should be developing their own internet skills to keep up with their children. Get Web User magazine every fortnight - subscribe here now