AOL UK erects sight screen for kids' site

AOL UK has affirmed its credentials as a protector of family values by offering a "walled garden" of safe content where children aged 2-12 are free to roam without fear of coming across disturbing or adult material. Although AOL UK maintains the "kids only" accounts are no substitution for parental supervision, it claims the protected environment will go some way to easing parents' fears about letting their kids wandering around the Net. Alan Griffin, Group Editor for AOL UK's Kids Channe,l said: "Kids Only is like a walled garden with all the excitement of an adventure playground -- so kids can still explore the Internet, but without the risks of unfiltered access." AOL UK's stand bid to protect youngsters has been backed by ChildLine, the free national helpline for children in trouble or danger. It applauded AOL UK for creating a safe environment for children and young people on the Internet. Gill Keep, Senior Policy Officer at ChildLine, said: "The Internet is a fantastic resource, but parents are rightly worried that children might come across illegal, offensive or exploitative web sites. "Parents teach their children to become streetwise, so why not teach them to be Netwise too?" Almost a million children in Britain claim they have been 'upset' by something they have found on the Internet, according to poll by NOP in July.