From YouTube to Snapchat, most youngsters are now adept at using a range of social media sites.
But a worrying new survey has warned that children as young as eight are giving their personal details to strangers online.
The survey, by O2 , asked 2,000 children about their behaviour online, as well as the information displayed on their social media profiles.
The results revealed almost a third (29%) of eight to 13 year olds have given personal details to strangers they’ve met online.
An analysis of their social media profiles also revealed that almost a quarter display their email address, while 8% show their phone number.
Meanwhile, seemingly innocent details such as pet names (25%) and their school (24%) were also frequently displayed.
Ann Pickering, Chief HR Officer and Chief of Staff at O2, said: “Apps and social media are a brilliant way of keeping in touch with friends and making you feel less alone, but it’s vital that parents understand and talk to their kids about the potential dangers too.”
In terms of specific apps, the survey revealed that children were most likely to use YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram , Snapchat and Roblox.
Worryingly, just 37% said they felt their parents understood YouTube, while just 10% said their parents understood Snapchat and Roblox.
Based on the findings, O2 and the NSPCC have relaunched Net Aware - a website where parents can find information about the apps, sites and games their children use the most.
Laura Randall, Associate Head of Child Safety Online, NSPCC, said: “It is vital parents think of the online world in the same way as the real world.
“They wouldn’t send their child on a school trip without checking where they are going and who they are going with. The same level of scrutiny should apply to any app or game their child is using.
“That’s why we continue to work with O2 to provide the latest information for parents about the most popular apps, sites and games their children are using - all at their fingertips on one website.”
