NOT enough is being done to protect children using the internet, the head of the UK unit dedicated to tackling online paedophiles said today.
Police, governments and industry giants have yet to decide how to target predators in the virtual world, Jim Gamble said.
Speaking at the start of a youth conference on internet security, Mr Gamble said more work is needed to safeguard curious and computer-savvy youngsters.
He said: “This is about giving kids a platform. What do they expect from law enforcement or from the Government?
“Do they want regulation of the internet? What demands will they make from industry? Their findings are potentially hugely influential.”
He added: “We know what the problem is. Now it has got to be about developing a solution. We know children will push the envelope.
“We know they will get involved in high risk behaviour. We know predators will engage them - so what are we doing about it?”
The conference opened as a survey revealed more than one in 10 UK children have had sexually explicit conversations online.
The annual Mobile Life survey for the Carphone Warehouse also found almost one in three young people had met strangers online.
But Mr Gamble, who is head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) Centre, said the findings were nothing new.
He criticised businesses for spending money on surveys when it could be better invested elsewhere.
Mr Gamble said: “We know what the problem is, let’s not duplicate or replicate the work that is being done.”
Up to 150 young people from across the globe gathered in London for the start of the five-day International Youth Advisory Congress.
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mancmanomyst, Wythenshawe (17/07/2008 at 21:04)
The way to catch these lot is to use moderator-bots in chatrooms that can monitor inappropriate messages
Also set up more traps (within the law - no entrapment)
dusty2008 (27/07/2008 at 12:06)
Now,we should all know that all chat programs come with various facilities including the big one,IGNORE.
Clicking on the ignore button or putting someone you are talking to on ignore will not allow that person to contact you again, how's that for a simple solution to it that we never hear anyone of you that harp on about it so much?, How many of you have actually used a chat program over the Internet?
How about another way of preventing anything untowards happening,how about parents taking responsibility of once and actually getting off thier backsides and monitoring what their kids do on the Internet.
These two activities should put an end to all the rubbish we hear about this sort of behaviour but then again,it will also prevent those spouting off about it having something they probably know nothing about to spout off about.
Kids are better protected than the white Rhino and I for one ignore them and if I found a kid needing help or an ambulance or something would have no option but to ignore them further in case I got into trouble for even looking at them. I refuse to give the authorities or crackpots that harp on about child safety the satisfaction of accusing me of something I have not done.
Marc (27/07/2008 at 21:14)
what a sad git. so you'd let a child die even if you saw one needing help?
Kalamity Karney [AKA Scrotnig], Gorton (28/07/2008 at 10:42)
And if that comment repulses people - blame Nu-Lab and the treacherous left who have criminalised innocent behaviour.
I look after number one. Everyone else can fend for themselves.
PW - Dole for Labourites!, Manchester (28/07/2008 at 11:33)
Kids rule in Salford as the authorities are scared stiff of stopping them from smashing water hydrants. They're scared stiff of their own political correctness, by not wading in and giving them the good hiding they deserve. Which the kids deserve because they threaten public workers with violence, and use it with abandon. They're also frightened of all the forms they will have to fill in, if they decide to get involved.
As for this 'paedophile thing' on the internet, the parents are responsible, full stop.
Personally, I have nothing to do with kids anymore because of this paedo hysteria. A 10 year old boy came up to me in a pub garden to stroke my dog and asked me how old it was. I can't help asking myself if I deserve to be regarded as a paedophile by his father who just came out of the pub, audibly asking his son "What has he been saying to you?"
Just keep your kids away from me, and better still, keep them with you at all times.
Marc (28/07/2008 at 11:58)
And if that comment repulses people - blame Nu-Lab and the treacherous left who have criminalised innocent behaviour."
that is so depressing.
Mr Manchester (28/07/2008 at 12:36)
PW - Dole for Labourites!, Manchester (28/07/2008 at 12:45)
I would help a child in obvious danger or distress, but no way will I talk to one. I don't really think that's right either, but there you go.
Marc (28/07/2008 at 12:57)
Kalamity Karney [AKA Scrotnig], Gorton (28/07/2008 at 13:03)
Beside, if you did intervene and anything went wrong and died, the very last thing I'd want is someone's life being ruined by a prison sentence or something as a result of trying to assist me.