Social media is failing to protect us, say children

CHILDREN say social media firms are failing to protect them from online pornography and bullying.

In a major survey, four out of five pupils reported being worried about inappropriate material on their smartphones and iPads.

It follows calls from campaigners for the Government to crack down on the content published by web giants such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Youngsters have been driven to selfharm and even suicide by internet trolls.

In 2013, the mother of schoolgirl Isobella Dix called for the closure of controversial website Ask.fm after her daughter was driven to suicide by internet trolls. The 14-year-old was found hanged after months of vile taunts.

A survey by the NSPCC found that of 1,696 young people aged 11 to 18, 1,380 – 80 per cent – said social media sites needed to do more to protect them from warped content. The youngsters said they were routinely confronted by extreme pornographic images, trolling and shocking content promoting eating disorders and self-harm.

They rated Ask.fm, Omegle, IMVU and Facebook as some of the most risky sites to visit.

The findings will pile pressure on social media firms at a time they are already under fire.

The Mail has previously revealed that vile terror handbooks encouraging jihadists to mount car attacks were available on Google and Twitter.

Meanwhile, a survey last year found a generation of children were being warped by online pornography, with 94 per cent of 14-year-olds saying they had looked at X-rated films or photos.

The latest findings are revealed in the new Net Aware guide, the UK’s only parents’ guide to 39 of the most popular social media sites, apps, and games used by young people.

In the report, a 15-year-old girl said of Ask.fm: ‘I hate the fact that someone can say things to you but not showing their name, can make a person feel really low and do things which they will regret.’

An 18-year-old who reviewed social community IMVU, which sees users create an avatar, said: ‘Lots of adults are sexual through their characters, for example talking about sex, and also drugs. This can be true even if they know you’re very young.’

Despite the risks that many children reported, 87 per cent claimed they knew how to keep themselves safe online.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: ‘Children do not feel that they are shielded from upsetting, dangerous, and adult content.

‘It is vital parents know about their child’s online world and regularly talk with their children about how to get help if they need it.’

Yvette Cooper, Labour chairman of the Commons’ home affairs select committee, said: ‘Social media companies have a responsibility to ensure young people...are not subject to hate filled content, particularly when it is magnified to levels which are overwhelming and frightening.’

Social media sites will be told to combat cyber-bullying under measures announced yesterday.

Ministers will draw up a code of conduct setting out the behaviour expected of firms. It is likely to require they have mechanisms for reporting abuse.

Comment – Page 16

‘Can make a person feel really low’