More than half of the UK's parent's haven't the foggiest idea what their kids are up to online, according to a study commissioned by cableco Telewest.

Its NOP survey of 500 parents found that half of those quizzed are so concerned they sit with their kids while they flit about on the Net. More than a third of parents said they have been concerned about what their kids have seen online. And four in ten parents are unclear where to go to get advice about being safe online.

In a statement, Stephen Carrick-Davies chief exec of Childnet International said: "It's crucial parents take an active interest in what their children are doing online and help them use the Internet positively and safely."

In June, security software outfit Symantec reported that more than 80 per cent of kids said they receive "inappropriate" spam every day, with half of those admitting that they felt "uncomfortable and offended" when seeing dodgy emails. ®

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