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From Times Online
May 8, 2008

Cartoon policeman and dolphin to warn children about online paedophiles

Adam Fresco, Crime Correspondent

Child abuse experts are targeting children as young as five for the first time to teach them about the dangers of online paedophiles.

Pupils in primary schools across the country will be introduced to Hector’s World, a series of five animated characters including Hector the dolphin and PC Jim, who will explore how to use the internet safely.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has taken the idea from New Zealand, where authorities have found the cartoons to be helpful in teaching children about the dangers of using the internet.

As part of their ThinkuKnow campaign, CEOP has introduced its own character, PC Jim, a seahorse, who plays a supervisory role and checks how the children are doing. He will appear alongside Ranjeet the crab.

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Research has shown that 59 per cent of children between 5 and 7 have access to the internet at home and 21 per cent use it by themselves.

The initiative was launched today at St Vincent De Paul RC Primary School, Victoria, London.

Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of CEOP, said: “We know that children are now using the internet at an increasingly young age.

“It is never too early to start giving children "safety first" messages: in the same way that we teach small children to cross the road safely, there is a need to ensure that young children learn good habits for a future life online. If we give them early lessons in a way that is engaging, relevant and fun, we can help to safeguard young children online not only now but well into the future.

“We hope that every primary school in the UK will open its doors to Hector’s World for the benefit of all 5-7 year old students.”

Niel McLean, Executive Director of Institutional Workforce and Development at Becta, the government’s education technology agency said: “CEOP’s ‘Hector’s World’ programme is a welcome addition to the support and guidance surrounding e-safety that is currently available to parents, carers and teachers. It’s vital that the work to educate children about the benefits of technology continues with innovative and engaging schemes such as this."

the idea is good, yet i feel that children will not fully understand until they are at least 10.

Calum Makin, Malvern, Worc.

Pointless 'initiatives' like this are doing a far better job of stealing our children's innocence than imaginary online abusers.

Remember that most abuse happens in the home by a member of the family or a close friend of the family.

Ben

Ben Robinson, Brighton, UK

Jobcentre is allowing youngsters to view adverts for the porn and brothel industries, who is going to apply a filter to their front door? I'd abolish CEOP, they are just a scam, they don't arrest people. Why don't they raid the Department of Work and Pensions?

Gregory, Belfast, UK

I am pretty shocked to read that 5 year olds have unsupervised access to the internet.
Why not just invite a stranger into your home and leave them alone with your child? It's pretty much the same thing.

Laura, London,

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