Chief Executive of Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), Jim Gamble, explains that the body receives 10 reports a month from children in this age group. "Children as young as eight are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their use of the internet," he says. "But where the natural, innocent naivety of children collides with the open and often unrestricted nature of the virtual world, then their safety is always going to be called into question.”

To cater for the increasing needs of this particular age-group, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has designed a new programme for teachers and parents covering all kinds of internet and text activities. The programme that is part of CEOP’s activities as the UK node of the European Safer Internet network, INSAFE, was officially launched on 24 October 2007.

All CEOP’s education resources are delivered under the “Think U Know” brand. 8-10 year olds visiting the Think U Know website (http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/) will find 4 engaging sections specially designed for their age:

-How to have fun
-How to stay in control
-How to report
-Cybercafé

The new programme was developed in conjunction with the British Educational Communications Technologies Agency, BECTA, who is entrusted by the UK government with improving the use of technology in learning. Teachers and children were also involved.

Since September 2006 more than a million students have been reached through a campaign aimed at secondary schools. With so many internet-aware children online, this will make the web a hostile environment for those who want to abuse of it.

Schools which opt to take part in the campaign can access resources, including games and lesson plans, to help give children safe guidelines on e-mailing, mobile phones, cyber-bullying, social networking and online "stranger danger".

If u think that is all, think again and mark February 2008 in your calendar: that is when the very young UK internet users aged between 5 to 7 will get their own corner in the Think U Know website.

CEOP’S TIPS FOR CHILDREN WHO USE THE INTERNET

• Don't give your real name on gaming sites
• It’s best not to have anyone on your IM (instant messaging) list that you don't know in the real world
• You can block people in IM and chat areas
• It’s best not to meet people in real life you meet online, they might not be who they say they are
• Tell an adult you trust if an online friend asks to meet you
• Report a contact to CEOP if you think they might be an adult

Sofia Aslanidou, Insafe