Children are at risk as fewer internet devices have 'safe search' filters turned on

A recent survey has revealed that children between the ages of 12 and 15 don’t know all their social media ‘friends’, leaving them vulnerable to online bullying or grooming.

 

As parents struggle to keep up with their kids internet use they are less able to protect them from these online dangers. Surprisingly, the survey found that few devices have the ‘safe search’ settings enabled and children as young as three have access to the internet without a filter.  

 

With hand held devices rising in popularity, even more under-15s can access the internet without any form of adult supervision.  

 

Campaigners in the UK have called for service providers to block unsafe material, but for now it is up to parents to have filters turned on.

 

What do you think? Should children be allowed use the internet unsupervised?  Do you have your ‘safe search’ settings turned on?