MORE THAN 60 per cent of primary school children in Swindon have a social networking account – yet only 10 per cent of their parents know.

The figures were revealed by an online e-safety survey of more than 7,000 local youngsters.

Ten per cent of primary school children in town say they have been victims of cyber bullying, while 20 per cent of teenagers say they have also been targeted.

Last night, a report was delivered to the Swindon Children’s Trust Board updating them on the work of the e-safety programme across Swindon.

The report outlined the work carried out in Swindon to combat cyber bullying and other issues.

It said: “The e-safety harm reduction programme across Swindon has continued to grow in combating cybercrime, cyber bullying and sexual exploitation, to now including advice and guidance to protect the online identities of professionals, children and young people and organisations.”

Since 2009, working with the Swindon Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), briefing sessions have been held across 49 parents evenings, 54 staff briefings in schools and colleges, training for 109 school governors, 203 children protection co-ordinators, 102 adults that work with children from across all agencies, and 80 police officers and PCSOs have attended Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre training.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre ThinkUKnow teaching materials are also being delivered in schools to pupils.

By working in partnerships, the LSCB has helped in developing a self evaluation online tool for all agencies that work with children and young people. It has been tried by the council’s library service and to date, 78 per cent of schools in Swindon are using it. It will help provide an overview of e-safety practice.

The report said: “As the agenda for e-safety continues to develop, it is by building upon the partnership working with other local and national agencies and charities that we can support the community and further help safeguard online the children and young people of Swindon.”