PARENTS have been urged to keep a closer watch on their children's use of computers after research showed most were 'totally oblivious' to the illicit online activity of their youngsters.

The study revealed that one in five young people had met someone they first encountered on the internet. Only seven per cent of 500 parents surveyed were aware their children were contacting people online and then meeting them.

The study of 500 children between eight and 15 showed two out of five regularly visited websites banned by their parents and many gave personal information with parental consent.

Most online activity included playing games, researching homework and chatting with friends, but a minority admitted to contact with strangers.

Tom Ilube, of online privacy service Garlik, said: "The web is wonderful to explore, but young people continue to make themselves vulnerable by not applying the same caution online as they would in person."