How old should a child be before they are allowed to use the Internet unsupervised?

AB Editor | 13:04 Wed 10th Feb 2010 | Family & Relationships

13 Answers

With the Child Exloitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) targeting children as young as five in its current online safety campaign we thought we'd ask you: at what age a child should be allowed online unsupervised?
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8499356.stm

This poll is closed.

Answers:

16+ - 14 votes
35%
12+ - 11 votes
28%
14+ - 7 votes
18%
10+ - 4 votes
10%
18+ - 3 votes
8%
8+ - 1 vote
3%
4+ - 0 vote
0%

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chelle7272

I'd like to say 16+ but it's really not practical these days, especially as a lot of the homework set by the school is internet based, and I work and cannot supervise constantly. My son as now 14 and although not always supervised he does not have his own PC in his room, he uses the one we all access, and I check what he has been up to. So anyway I've gone with 12+, but it also depends on the child, and the kind of relationship you have with them.

LoftyLottie

Absolutely agree with chelle. It depends on the child and your relationship with them. I have gone with 12 because I can only relate to my own offspring. 16+ is just plain not on. A 'child' of 16 should be adequately informed long before reaching 16 unless there are problems. My goodness, they could be out and about and working or training for the forces at 16. You can't suddenly expect them to change at 16.

dothawkes31

I've gone with 14 plus as i do think there is a difference between how much girls use the internet for chatting and how much boys use it for gaming.

sara3

I think there are some users on here who shouldn't be allowed online unsupervised ;o)

dothawkes31

lol sara, that's very true

sophie_1003

No Knowledge, it depends, do you put CBeebies on for him/her? If yes then I would say that is a form of supervision.

zzxxee

-- answer removed --

society

I say 14+

When a child wants to do something, they always find ways and even comes up with silly excuses.

Answerprancer

I think it should be up to the discretion of the parents, kids mature at differing levels.
I would say around 14/15. Maybe they should have to pass some sort of 'web-use proficiency test' before they're allowed on unsupervised, so they can learn about certain dangers, what's legal, what aint, 'netiquette' how to deal with getting thrown off sites for copying other peoples' poetry etc. etc.

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