Recent research by data services company GB Group (You can view the full report on the GB Group website via this pdf document.) found that young people are using the internet to buy inappropriate material, such as explicit video games, adult DVDs, alcohol and even weapons, because it’s easier than buying it on the high street.

The research reveals:

• Nearly half (48%) of teenage boys under 18 have tried to buy adult DVDs or violent video games online in the past year…and over three quarters of these were successful
• One in 20 (5%) 14 year olds have successfully purchased alcohol online
• A similar number of 15 year olds have been able to buy dangerous objects online such as knives
• A quarter (25%) of teenage boys and over a third (38%) of teenage girls under 18 have managed to buy items online using someone else’s credit card

Facebook recently announced changes to its site to protect minors from inappropriate content and it follows on from an Ofcom report that revealed that about a quarter of those aged between eight and 11 have a profile page on sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Bebo.

This is despite the fact that these sites have a self-imposed minimum age limit of 13 or 14. The news comes soon after the release of the Byron Review which investigated the risks children faced from exposure to harmful or inappropriate material on the internet or in video games.

Do e-retailers do enough to prevent inappropriate sales?  What steps could be taken to protect young people whilst using the Internet?

Levels of credit and debit card fraud on the internet are much higher than estimated. Have you been affected by internet fraud?

Banking industry data shows that losses through the internet, phone and mail crime ran to £290.5m in 2007.

But a BBC investigation found that £500m of fraud takes place when failed attempts to steal details are taken into account. Journalists found that it was easy to access stolen card details over the internet.

The government say that they have invested £29m to tackle internet fraud. The Tories are urging the government to appoint a minister to deal with internet crime.

Are you worried about the safety of your details?