Countries throughout the European Union highlighted Safer Internet Day on February 10 with a commitment to making the web a safer place for youth.
Research involving approximately 20,000 Internet users between the ages of 14 and 19 found that 51 per cent surf the web with no adult guidance or supervision. Despite being tech savvy, too many youth fall victim to adult predators who prowl the wide open frontier of the net world.
As well, more than a quarter of all surveyed admitted that they had been bullied while on the Internet.
- Half of Europe's teenagers browse the web with no parental oversight or supervision, a survey suggests.
- The research into the web habits of 20,000 14 to 19-year-olds across Europe found that 51% enjoy unfettered access to any and every website.
- The MSN research also found that 29% of the teenagers it quizzed have suffered bullying while using the web.
- It comes as the EU marks Safer Internet Day with pledges from 17 social sites to do more to protect younger users.
- "We were surprised that it's over 50% without any parental control," said John Mangelaars, head of Microsoft's consumer and online divisions in Europe.
Info: NowPublic.com