Children as young as seven worried about seeing pornography online

Children as young as seven worry about accidentally seeing pornography online, research has found. 

The survey, by Girlguiding UK, found that 53 per cent of children aged between seven and 10 were worried about seeing "rude images and pictures" on the internet. 

The youngest age group was the most concerned about this, with 35 per cent of 11-16-year-olds and one in four 17-21 year-olds also worried about seeing unwanted pornography.

The "girls' attitudes survey" also indicates parents are at risk of underestimating the impact that social media can have on their daughters, with girls saying they do not feel their mothers and fathers realise the pressures they face.

More than a third of the 11 to 21-year-old girls questioned in the poll said comparing themselves and their lives to others is one of their biggest online concerns, while the same proportion said that they were worried about threats from strangers.

A further 36 per cent were worried about grooming and 36 per cent also cited how pictures of them might be used by others as one of their biggest fears.

Three in 10 of the 11 to 16-year-old girls questioned were concerned about how they look in photos, rising to 35 per cent among the 17 to 21-year-olds.

Around 13 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds and 10 per cent of the older age group (17-21) worried about the number of friends, followers or "likes" they have on social media sites, while 22 per cent of those aged 11-16 and 26 per cent of the 17 to 21-year-olds feel they have to check their phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Less than half (47 per cent) of the young women polled felt their parents realise the pressures they face on social media.

One Girlguiding advocate, Maddie, 15, from Southampton, said: "Social media is an incredible tool, but these statistics show it can also have such a negative impact on our lives.

"Speaking from experience, it can be such a hard thing to face along with the other pressures of being a teenager or young person, and it can become very overwhelming."