A campaign to educate children on the dangers of the internet has been launched across schools.

Children as young as five will be taught the risks in the campaign run by the UK Council for Child Internet.

Cartoons are being used in classrooms to help pupils understand the risks.

Experts believe that be educating young children on the dangers they will be better protected.

Studies show that eight out of ten children aged five to seven now use the internet, with many parents unsure of how safe they are.

The campaign has been launched on EU Safer Internet Day.

The web awareness day, backed by government agencies, aims to help parents and teachers identify the potential risks and take an interest in what children are surfing on the net.

Helen Penn, of Online Protection Agency, warned that where children are sex offenders are like to follow.

She said: "The majority of people who use the internet are just like you and I. They are good people but unfortunately we know that where children go sex offenders will follow.

"A minority of people who will abuse what the internet has to offer."