The proportion of online sexual abuse reports linked to social networking websites like Facebook and Bebo has doubled in a year, according to police.
"As children get older and more independent, supervision just doesn't come into it," said Vicky Gillings of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), a national police body.
"Parents need to teach their children how to recognise and deal with abusers online."
CEOP receives 450 to 500 reports of online child abuse a month. Around 22 per cent of these now relate to abuse over social networking websites, double last year's figures.
A common tactic is for paedophiles to strike up friendships over Facebook, Bebo or MySpace, before moving the conversation to more private instant messenger services like MSN or AIM, where their intentions become clear.
But CEOP also receives reports of abuse over a range of other platforms, including children's personal websites, email, and online games.
"In the real world, wherever children go the paedophiles will follow, and it's exactly the same in an online environment. No single site is particularly dangerous," said Mrs Gillings.
"The progress of the grooming can be quick and insidious."
CEOP advises parents to drum three lessons about online safety into their children.
First, some people on the internet lie. Second, it is possible to block or de-friend people who make you feel uncomfortable.
And Third, anyone who believes they have been the victim of sexual abuse over the internet can inform police instantly via the centre's website. (http://www.ceop.gov.uk)
Children should also be taught to recognise common warning signs – such as excessive physical compliments and the promise of gifts – when talking to strangers online.
Source:telegraph.co.uk
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