Melbourne, June 8: Parents are not the only ones wary about the influence of the web, for as a new survey shows, so are youngsters themselves.

The survey, conducted by the Australian Childhood Foundation questioned 600 children between the age group of 10 to 14 years, indicated that the internet had raised concerns amongst young users as well.

Conducted last year, the online survey showed that 46 percent of the participants reported exposure to material that worried them and almost 25 percent felt unsafe and "worried" about dangers online.

"They have inadvertently gone to sites were they've seen things that they haven't understood or that shocked them. I think that their parents struggle to translate the internet for them … I think they know more about it than their parents do," said the organisation's chief executive, Joe Tucci.

He said that parents underestimated the risks of letting children roam freely online. However, while monitoring and restricting internet use was one means of control, adults also needed to show children they were interested in their lives.

"(Technology) is moving quick, they see things they don't understand and I think the research also pointed to them wanting their parents to take part. For parents, it's not just a matter of monitoring or supervising, it's also a matter of connecting with your kids using technology," he said.

In the survey the children were quizzed on their feelings of wellbeing, safety and who they would go to for help.

The majority of them said that they would feel most comfortable turning to their parents in a time of need, but often adults also represented negative forces in their lives. (ANI)