Children as young as eight years old are the focus of an online safety programme launched by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre.

The idea behind the programme is to prepare children for a world in which the internet will be a regular part of their lives.

As the UK police organisation dedicated to tackling child sex abuse, the CEOP said it was increasingly concerned about the rising number of abuse reports it was receiving from children in this age group.

CEOP chief executive Jim Gamble said: "What we have learnt from children and teachers alike is that the eight- to 11-year-old age group is becoming increasingly sophisticated in its use of the internet.

"Where the natural, innocent naivety of children collides with an open and unrestricted online environment not specifically designed for them, their safety may be called into question.

"The fact that we are receiving an average of 10 reports a month from this age group through our 'Report Abuse' mechanism at thinkuknow.co.uk is of increasing concern to me and my colleagues at CEOP."

The new online programme, was developed by CEOP and Becta, the Government's adviser on the use of IT in schools. It can be used at home or in schools.

Logging on to this 'cyber cafe', children between the ages of eight and 11 years old will meet Gryff and his friends while learning about different aspects of online safety at their own pace.

Through a series of games, the children can help the characters use the internet to complete their homework, send emails and text messages, post online forums and a host of other activities safely. There is also a jargon buster so children can understand technical terms and online “language”.

There is a sister programme for parents so they can get a better idea of how to keep their children safe online.

"We have found that parents tend to think their children are safe because they are inside the house. If their children were outside they would know where they were going; but online they often have no idea of where there children go or what they have seen," a representative for CEOP said.

All the material has been designed and tested by children to ensure it engages this most discerning of audiences. Jim Gamble said CEOP didn't want to create "sensationalist headlines in order to strike fear" because it wanted children to use the internet, but safely.
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"There is one overarching message. Have fun, know what to do and go to a trusted adult to seek help if you need it or feel threatened in any way," he said.