Press & PR

Young people in the UK should be allowed to use the internet but appropriate barriers should be used to make sure they are protected against unsuitable online material, it has been suggested.

Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), has made clear he position that measures to protect children online are necessary.

With more and more schools using broadband for a variety of reasons, the issue is becoming more important for educators and Ms Blower is convinced of the need to make sure children use the internet safely.

"There are no restrictions on when children first use the internet, but technological controls are needed to prevent the inappropriate use of the internet," she said.

Broadband and other internet communication services are growing in popularity with young Britons and the latest Ofcom figures suggest that almost half of all eight to 17 years olds in the UK have an online profile.

Vonage provides internet users with a secure way to make cheap calls using broadband phone services.