52 per cent of eight
to 16-year-olds ignored Facebook's age limit
Other popular sites
include WhatsApp, BBM, SnapChat and Ask.fm
43 per cent had
messaged strangers, starting from an average age of 12
Other popular sites include WhatsApp, used by 40 per cent of
eight to 16-year-olds, BBM (24 per cent), SnapChat (11 per cent) and Ask.fm (8
per cent).
The study found that although 59 per cent of children are
social networking by 10 years old, just 32 per cent of parents feel 'very
confident' about helping them stay safe online.
The poll found 21 per cent of children had posted negative
comments, starting from an average age of 11, and 26 per cent had 'hijacked'
another person's account and posted without permission.
Some 43 per cent had messaged strangers, starting from an
average age of 12.
While 63 per cent of parents check their child's internet
activity at least once a week, more than a fifth (21 per cent) are not
confident they could install parental controls, and just under a half (46 per
cent) admit not being confident or aware of the school internet policy.
Dr Richard Woolfson, child psychologist and Knowthenet
spokesman, said: 'The internet offers wonderful experiences for growing and
inquisitive young minds.
'Yet, as social media has removed the barriers between a
young person's public and private self, children can become vulnerable, and
compulsive online sharing can lead to danger.
'Parents can no longer protect children by simply trying to
limit their online experiences. Instead parents need to maintain an open
dialogue and encourage children to share both good and bad online experiences,
talk openly and straightforwardly about the risks they may encounter online
without scaring them and make sure they keep up with the latest social media crazes
and work with their children rather than trying to control them.'
Opinium surveyed 1,006 parents of children aged eight to 16
online and 1,004 children aged eight to 16 between October 17-24.
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