By Jon Bernstein, 3 December 2001 00:01
NEWS The UK government will launch a £1.5m national newspaper and magazine advertising campaign later today in a bid to improve child safety in internet chatrooms. Last week's high-profile raids on suspected paedophiles put the issue back on the political agenda and Home Office minister Beverley Hughes will use a press conference later today to lay out the government's latest campaign, 'Wise up to the Net'. In her speech Hughes will draw a distinction between the internet itself and the dangers of child abuse. "Paedophiles are dangerous - not internet chatrooms," Hughes will say. "Internet chat rooms have given young people, in particular, a virtual playground, an international school and a place to meet and make friends. "But sadly, the internet... is not immune from criminal abuse, and can bring its own dangers. We all need to ensure that taking sensible precautions to protect ourselves and our children online should become as commonplace as it is to lock our doors or not talk to strangers in the offline world." Parents can find out more about the campaign by visiting http://www.wiseuptothenet.co.uk. A special booklet is available from UK Online on 0800 77 1234.
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