Safety button protects children from bullies

An internet safety tool aimed at children as young as two will help protect them from paedophiles, bullies and identity fraudsters hovering on social networking sites.

New versions of the Hector Protector safety button were launched at Parliament yesterday, alongside bilingual posters encouraging children to seek help if they feel uncomfortable during online encounters.

Children are taught to click on Hector's image on the computer screen if they become scared or feel uncomfortable.

This action covers the computer with an underwater scene and encourages the child to seek help from an adult.

NetSafe, the internet safety group that developed Hector's World for children aged two to 10, said computers were increasingly dominant in the lives of young New Zealanders.

International research showed 13 per cent of children aged four to six used a computer daily, 10 per cent visited websites by themselves, and 33 per cent could turn on a computer.

A small percentage of children were going online before their first birthday, but NetSafe spokeswoman Rachel Harrison said babies, toddlers and primary-aged children did not have the cognitive skills to identify risk and manage it effectively.

"They're playing games, mainly. Sometimes with adults, but sometimes alone."

Ms Harrison said internet safety was a vital skill that needed to be taught to all children, like water safety and road safety.

Parents could not afford to be intimidated by the technology. "This is not a time to step back."

Disney's Club Penguin social networking site is marketed at children as young as six.

Other age-specific social networking sites, such as teenspot, claim to have moderators, but a Dominion Post investigation of sites used by primary and intermediate-aged New Zealanders revealed discussions about underage sex, provocative photographs of young girls, and middle-aged men inquiring about the sexual experience of children online.

NetSafe said those intent on abusing people sexually were well aware of how to use the anonymity afforded by the Net to gain people's trust.

Surveys showed a third of New Zealand children and teens had gone on to meet an online friend face-to-face.

Kiwi kids were more willing to meet strangers offline than children from other countries.

In New Zealand, young people aged 12 to 17 were among the highest internet users, averaging eight hours a week.