Children’s safety on the internet is in the spotlight. (Picture posed by model, 0773336)

POLICE are investigating a case of a man who allegedly came to the island several times to meet a child he had ‘groomed’ on the internet.

Thirty-eight ‘digital safety incidents’ were reported in 2008 and there were a further 16 to the end of April this year.

The figures were released to coincide with the launch today of a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the many threats that the internet can pose.

The States’ multi-agency E-Safety Strategy Group is particularly keen to encourage parents, who are often less computer proficient, to monitor exactly what their children might be doing online.

‘Our children are very IT competent but, not having fully matured, often are completely unaware of the risks of the internet,’ said E-SSG chairwoman and Amherst Primary School head teacher Tracey Moore.

‘It’s important for parents to know what their children are doing and to learn from them. The water between us and the UK is irrelevant as children can log on and go anywhere in the world, so we are no different to anywhere else.’