There are a number of steps that parents can take to ensure their children stay safe when using the internet, it has been claimed.

Louise Robinson, an expert from MyDaughter.co.uk, suggested that it is not possible to shield youngsters completely, as sharing information online is the latest method of communicating for kids.

"Despite the minimum age for sites such as Facebook being 13, I would expect most 11-12 year olds to understand, use and know how to navigate around a social networking website," she commented.

Parents should stay as up-to-date as possible with technology and use security settings to ensure that children cannot access any unsuitable material.

Ideally computers should be in a family room where youngsters can be monitored by adults.

A recent poll carried out by MyDaughter.co.uk revealed that 43 per cent of parents do not know what their sons and daughters get up to online.

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