About 50 percent of net surfing kids are abuse victims

About 50 pct of children, who surf the net, have been victims of sex abuse, bullying or other threats, according to a new poll.

London, May 14 : About 50 pct of children, who surf the net, have been victims of sex abuse, bullying or other threats, according to a new poll.

The survey conducted by National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), which is a UK charity working in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children, revealed that 50.4 pct of kids have been exposed to 'unwanted experience'.

The survey is a part of NSPCC's Don't Hide It campaign.

NSPCC director, Dame Mary Marsh, said that kids face bullying and are exposed to dangerous real life situations

"Children face real threats on the internet such as sexual grooming, cyber-bullying, exposure to violent, pornographic and other unsuitable material and being lured into dangerous real-world situations," the Sun quoted her, as saying.

She added that since online networking is an integral part of children's lives, there should be efforts to make online safer for children and also make it easier for kids to discuss online abuse.

"Online social networking is part of millions of children's lives. We must recognise and respond to this reality by helping them be safer online as well as helping them speak out about abuse at the same time," she added.

The poll also found that 52 per cent of kids visit sites like Bebo at making themselves more available for abusers.

Sixty per cent revealed that they access such sites to prevent loneliness, and 53 per cent use the sites to share their problems.

ANI