Schools highlight internet dangers

Events are taking place across Europe to highlight the potential dangers young people face while exploring online.

In Britain, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) co-ordinated workshops, parent training, debates, competitions and knowledge surveys. The organisation focusses on the dangers of internet paedophiles, cyber bullying and the impact of online gaming.

It also launched two new educational packages for teachers containing films with the latest safety advice.

Meanwhile, more than 100 trained volunteers from three international companies were visiting primary and secondary schools to speak to pupils about internet safety.

Jim Gamble, who heads CEOP, said a national advertising campaign launched this week highlights how his staff are continuing to hunt down child sex offenders. But he said children, parents and teachers must take responsibility and educate themselves about the potential dangers.

Mr Gamble said: "There are many resources out there aimed at helping young people stay safe online - software and other tools which can feel reassuring.

"But none of these will help unless people take notice of what the threat really is. This is where CEOP comes in, providing information on what children are actually doing in the virtual world and how offenders are using online environments to target young victims."

CEOP is the UK's dedicated police organisation focused on tackling the sexual exploitation of children, particularly online.

Safer Internet Day projects are organised in association with Insafe, the European Safer Internet awareness-raising network co-funded by the European Commission.