Children are still finding 'rude, violent, nasty and upsetting' material on the Internet and think they should be protected from it, a survey by European Research into Consumer Affairs (ERICA) has found.
The survey conducted at the end of the summer term last year amongst 914 . 10 to 14-year-olds, with the support of the Broadcasting Standards Commission and the EU Internet Action Plan, found that children are usually alone when they use the net. Three quarters found rude, violent, nasty, upsetting material and/or gambling sites.
Guidelines for safe use of the Internet like ERICA's (below) which warn children, for example, not to arrange to meet people they ‘chat to' on the net, are beginning to be recognised. Around 60% said they had seen rules like ERICA's. But many children are not following the advice to report unpleasant material. If they tell anyone, it is likely to be a friend.
Just over one quarter had bought something or paid for games or entertainment over the Internet including 10-year-olds and boys more than girls. Nearly 70% of these used their parents' credit cards and some of these said they did it without any help, implying possible use without permission. Three said they had paid through the phone bill.
Nearly ten per cent said that they had seen the little on-line clock which warns that you are using a premium line.
Asked if younger children needed to be protected on the Internet, a large majority said yes they did, from rude pictures, violence and gambling. But a majority did not think younger children should be protected from shopping.
The research shows the need for EU law to reinforce the current voluntary system to make content providers rate their websites and to improve filtering, notice and take down policies, which the Editor believes means dismantling the website -but he could be wrong! It also reveals the easy access children have to gambling on the Internet and the wide use they are making of shopping on the net.
Businesses need to be aware that they may be dealing with children and should confirm orders by e-mail, fax or post so that parents can cancel if need be.
The project was co-financed by the Directorate General Information Society Internet Action Plan and the Broadcasting Standards Commission whom ERICA wishes to thank.
More information from www.net-consumers.org
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