A survey shows that parents in Borehamwood do not know what their children look at on the internet.

Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board carried out a poll of parents, carers and young people during 2014.

It revealed that while most know what their children are doing online, they knew less than their activity than they realised.

Less than one per cent of parents said their child used chat rooms – when up to ten per cent of young people admitted to speaking to people they do not known.

A further 40 per cent said they play games with people they have never met in person – but 55 per cent of parents said their child did not play games with other people online.

Chris Hayward, Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Education and Skills, said: “Protecting our children when they go online and visit a variety of websites can be a challenge. The results of our recent child survey shows as parents, we may not always be fully aware of our children’s activity online.

"Hertfordshire County Council is committed to working with our partners to keep young people safe in Hertfordshire, both online and offline.”