Warning over online sex predators
FACEBOOK is as dangerous for children as letting them go to a nightclub at the age of 11, the head of the NSPCC child charity has said.
Chief executive Peter Wanless said social media had created ‘a playground for predators’ seeking to take advantage of vulnerable youngsters. He added: ‘There are risks that children and teens face on social media sites that are akin to letting them go into a nightclub. That is why we think it is important serious attention is now paid to this issue.’
Facebook, Google and Twitter have come under increasing pressure to do more to protect young users. The NSPCC has called for Government action and laws to tackle child grooming, hate speech and cyber-bullying.