03 What’s Happening Online Computers have brought untold benefits to children around the world, with the number of connected households increasing each year. By early 2009, there were over 1.5 billion people on-line, “Opening up whole new worlds.’’ number of unintended, unforeseen and unwanted consequences. Some of these are of particular concern to the health and safety of children and young people. According to recent surveys: In the USA 93% of teens 12-17 go online, with 63% going online daily. In China 44% of children said they had been approached online by strangers. In France 72% of children surf online alone. In Korea 30% of under 18’s spend two hours a day or more online. up from under 200 million at the beginning of 1998. The Internet’s potential for good is undisputed. This technology is already greatly enriching the learning process, providing new, exciting and personalized ways of discovering the world. The Inter-net has also provided an excellent platform for a wide range of games, music and other cultural activities which have huge appeal among the young. However, the Internet has also bought with it a