DEMANDS have been made for parents and schools in the district to do more to teach children internet safety following the shock results of a major survey of pupils’ online habits.

A poll of more than 9,000 children across the Bradford district found that a fifth of girls aged 14 and 15 in year 10 had been asked for meetings by strangers they had met online.

And, alarmingly, one in ten had then gone on to meet them.

A fifth of eight and nine-year-olds in year four also admitted they had seen “rude or embarrassing” pictures or videos online.

Despite the potential dangers, only 35 per cent of secondary school pupils said they had been given advice about meeting people online, and only a quarter had been given advice about 'sexting' – sending explicit texts or images.

Just over half (57 per cent) of year four pupils said they had been taught about the dangers of talking to strangers online, but only 40 per cent have been warned about sharing details online.

A subsequent report into the findings by the council’s children’s services team has concluded many children are inadvertently putting themselves at risk.

And it warns: “Personal data, including location-based data, and other content they publish on social media could lead to online and real world contact through grooming by paedophiles.”

Coun Malcolm Sykes, the Conservative chairman of the children’s scrutiny committee, said: “The report says schools should have procedures for teaching children about online safety. I’d say they must have them in place.

“The information I’ve had is to do with the reactive things that are being done to protect children, I want more things to be done proactively. The number of people who say they have spoken to strangers online is high.

“There is that question, are we interfering with how parents raise their children? You could say it is not the council’s job, but it is our social services that have to pick up the remnants of any problems including children being groomed online.”

Coun Ralph Berry, the executive member for children’s services at the council, insisted schools were educating pupils about online dangers.

“We need parents to become more aware and up-to-date about what their children are doing online. It is all about talking about things with their children,” he said.

The NSPCC backed the warnings.

“The internet can be a fantastic resource for children, but we must ensure that young people are aware of the potential dangers online,” its spokesman said.

“It is important that children are taught how to use the internet safely. They should never give away any personal details such as their address and telephone number, or arrange to meet someone face to face who they have only met online.

“Parents must talk openly to their children about their activities on the internet, ensuring they follow advice on internet safety and encourage them to speak out if they see anything that makes them feel upsets or uncomfortable.”