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NEWS EXTRA

Fears intensify over 3G mobiles and children

Three-quarters of parents (73 per cent) are concerned that new 3G mobile phones being introduced to the UK later this year could threaten the safety of children, reveals research by leading children's charity NCH.

An NOP Poll launched last week shows that half of all parents (49 per cent) "strongly agree" this is a cause for concern.

Almost four out of five parents (78 per cent) say these third generation phones - set to be launched in November with built-in cameras that carry video images - will "make it more or less impossible to supervise and support children who use the internet". They agree that "if they're using them out on the street, on the bus or in the school playground, you just can't be there to help them".

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of parents with children aged between 12 and 15 say their child knows more than they do about mobile phone technology. Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) say this is "a cause for concern".

NCH's internet advisor John Carr says: "This poll is the first concrete evidence that there is a great deal of anxiety and worry among parents about the arrival of the next generation of telephones with internet access.

"NCH believes this throws down a major challenge to the mobile phone operators. If they want these phones to take off in the youth market they are going to have to convince a lot of parents that they are safe, or can be made safe.

"Significant numbers of mums and dads say their child knows more about mobile phones than they do, which many find very worrying. This is particularly significant as the majority of parents say it's their responsibility to educate their children about mobiles."

The NCH survey also reveals that:

Overall, one in three parents (32 per cent) say their child knows more than they do about mobile phone technology. 12 per cent say this is a cause for concern.
Numbers rise sharply with the age of the child. A total of 77 per cent of parents with 15-year-olds say their child's knowledge is greater.
Two-thirds of parents (66 per cent) believe that they have the main responsibility for making sure children and teenagers are properly educated about new mobile phone technology.
14 per cent say it's the responsibility of mobile phone companies and 10 percent say the Government.

Now NCH, a leading campaigner on internet safety and new technology issues, is calling for:

Every handset being used by children to have filtering and screening software pre-installed and set to a high level.
Until filtering software is installed as a default, internet access on mobile phones should be classified as an "adult service". This would mean that anyone under the age of 18 would be barred from using the internet automatically.

What do YOU think? Mail us!

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		NEWS EXTRA Fears intensify over 3G mobiles and children Three-quarters of parents (73 per cent) are concerned that new 3G mobile phones being introduced to the UK later this year could threaten the safety of children, reveals research by leading children's charity NCH. An NOP Poll launched last week shows that half of all parents (49 per cent) "strongly agree" this is a cause for concern. Almost four out of five parents (78 per cent) say these third generation phones - set to be launched in November with built-in cameras that carry video images - will "make it more or less impossible to supervise and support children who use the internet". They agree that "if they're using them out on the street, on the bus or in the school playground, you just can't be there to help them". Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of parents with children aged between 12 and 15 say their child knows more than they do about mobile phone technology. Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) say this is "a cause for concern". NCH's internet advisor John Carr says: "This poll is the first concrete evidence that there is a great deal of anxiety and worry among parents about the arrival of the next generation of telephones with internet access. "NCH believes this throws down a major challenge to the mobile phone operators. If they want these phones to take off in the youth market they are going to have to convince a lot of parents that they are safe, or can be made safe. "Significant numbers of mums and dads say their child knows more about mobile phones than they do, which many find very worrying. This is particularly significant as the majority of parents say it's their responsibility to educate their children about mobiles." The NCH survey also reveals that: Overall, one in three parents (32 per cent) say their child knows more than they do about mobile phone technology. 12 per cent say this is a cause for concern. Numbers rise sharply with the age of the child. A total of 77 per cent of parents with 15-year-olds say their child's knowledge is greater. Two-thirds of parents (66 per cent) believe that they have the main responsibility for making sure children and teenagers are properly educated about new mobile phone technology. 14 per cent say it's the responsibility of mobile phone companies and 10 percent say the Government. Now NCH, a leading campaigner on internet safety and new technology issues, is calling for: Every handset being used by children to have filtering and screening software pre-installed and set to a high level. Until filtering software is installed as a default, internet access on mobile phones should be classified as an "adult service". This would mean that anyone under the age of 18 would be barred from using the internet automatically. What do YOU think? Mail us! © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.