A recent Eurobarometer report on "safer internet for children" showed that European children are well aware of the potential risks of internet and mobile phone use but are confidently embracing digital technologies, believing they are capable of handling any problem that might arise without the help of a parent.

The qualitative survey was carried out across the 27 Member States as well as Iceland and Norway and marked "the first time children all across Europe have been asked directly how they use online technologies, how much they browse for fun and for schoolwork, and how they deal with risks," said Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media.

Ways in which the internet was used proved similar across the continent as well as age groups. Schoolwork, communicating with friends and family via instant messaging and chat, downloading music, videos, and games scored highest, the latter more popular with boys in the 12-14 category, while chatting and e-mailing came out top for the older girls. Hours spent online per week also increased with age.

The majority of children demonstrated a good awareness of the potential dangers of internet use and most claimed to know about and take the necessary precautions. Many also believe they would not need the help of parents in tackling internet-related problems. On the subject of viruses, a 12-14 year old girl from Germany said, "I would first try to get rid of it by myself, if it does not work, by checking my anti-virus programme and if all of that is useless then I ask a friend. There is always one who knows what to do." This could be due to over-confidence but there also appeared to be a distinct lack of faith in their parents' ability. "I know more about the Internet than my mother" said one Dutch girl and this sentiment is echoed by children across Europe. "My parents do not teach me, I teach them!" said a 12-14 year old boy from Ireland.

However, there remain issues. A 'potential' problem is not the same as actually confronting one and taking a precaution against something which has not yet happened is quite different to dealing with it when it does. The report noted that a lot of children, particularly in the older age groups, showed themselves to be quite "blasé" about such parental nightmares as violence and pornography. "It is very easy to come across nasty paedophiles on chat sites. But you notice it when they open the conversation with asking if you are horny and things like that... and then you know what's going on" said a 12-14 year old girl from Norway. Meanwhile, another boy from Estonia described a website he had visited: "They have rather gory pictures, a guy's head caught between helicopter blades, brains had flown all over the place. (..) Absolutely all kinds of disgusting stuff." Although often shocked by what they find, they do not seem to question the fact that they have been able to access it so freely nor the fact that they have been accessed so freely.

"It is encouraging to see Europe's youth embrace digital technologies so confidently. The capability of making active use of new media is key for the development of a knowledge-based society in Europe. At the same time, these survey results underline Europe's need for proactive online media education. We must also continue to raise awareness about the opportunities and risks of new media, especially among parents. Where the security of our children is at stake, there can be no room for complacency," said Commissioner Reding.

Eurobarometer's results will help the Commission to further refine how the EU's Safer Internet programme can best contribute to internet and mobile phone child safety throughout Europe. The next Safer Internet Day will be on 12 February 2008.

Francesca Cookney
13 August 2007