| Net Safety Day 2007:
Child protection in cyberspace © UNICEF video UNICEF Project Officer
Amanda Melville notes that child exploitation on the Internet poses new
challenges for communities and governments. By Susan Knorrenborg NEW YORK,
USA, 6 February 2007 – The Internet provides children with new ways to
express themselves, learn and build friendships – but it also poses
risks. Research suggests that as many as one in five children who use
computer chat rooms has been approached over the Internet by paedophiles.
The problem will likely increase as a growing number of children get
access to the Internet worldwide. |
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To raise awareness of the issue, February 6 has
been declared Net Safety Day. This is the fourth year the day has been
observed. Its goal is to teach children, their parents and teachers how
young people can protect themselves against abuse – as well as inform
caretakers about how to help children who are already being targeted by
potential abusers. As part of the day, according to the BBC, 20 of
Europe's leading mobile operators have signed an agreement offering
greater protection for young people using mobile phones.
Education and legislation UNICEF also participates in the effort
to make the Internet a safer place for children. “Internet abuse is such
a new area, and it poses challenges that communities and governments are
often not prepared to deal with,” says UNICEF Psychosocial Support
Project Officer Amanda Melville. According to Ms. Melville, many of the
principles already used for protecting children in other contexts – such
as parental education and advocating for protective legislation – can be
adjusted to protect children against the abuses perpetrated by adults
online.
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