GLASGOW University is to host Scotland's first specialist conference on the dangers the Internet poses to children, writes Ian Smith.
Teachers, social workers, and childcare professionals will be invited to attend the inaugural conference of the university's new Centre for Europe's Children in September.
The police are also expected to have an input on Internet crime prevention at the event. The conference follows growing concern over paedophiles using the Internet to target children.
Earlier this month, delegates at a police conference in Aberdeen heard that Internet crime would be one of the biggest challenges in the next century.
Dr Andy Bilson, director of the centre, said: ''Whilst the Internet has many benefits, there are concerns about the danger of exploitation of children, and about their possible exposure to racist or pornographic material.
''If you log on to any newsgroup on the Internet, you don't know who is at the other end. It could be anybody, which is where there is a danger. We have to explain these dangers to children and help them with advice such as never to give out their name and address, or arrange meetings with people they don't know.''
He said the conference would help those involved in all types of work with children to make a realistic assessment of risks and develop ways of protecting them while still allowing them the benefits the Internet offered.
Mr Andre Roberfroid, Unicef's regional director for Europe, said: ''Both Interpol and Europol have worked on this problem and admit they are not sure how to handle it. The answer isn't ready-made, but this conference is a step towards dealing with it.''
The centre was established at Glasgow University last year to provide an information service for those involved in policy making which affects children. It is run in partnership with the Council for Europe, Unicef, the Scottish Office, and children's charities.
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