Children at their tender ages should be watched over by their parents while they are using internet. About 65% of the parents don't take any kind of precautionary steps when their children log on and about 60% grant permission to their children for browsing without even thinking of any restrictions or supervision.

As a consequence, one of every five parents admits that they have found their children looking at nasty and vulgar material which they are not supposed to do at such tender ages. About one third of such parents have caught their children chatting to strangers.

36% of the parents came to know that their kids have downloaded a software without asking them and 12% got aware with the fact that their kids had divulged personal details to strangers they find on the internet.

Microsoft Australia Chief Security Adviser Stuart Strathdee said, "The internet opens a new world of information, socializing and entertainment for children but it also presents new risks, such as online predators, personal information disclosure and exposure to inappropriate content in web sites".

He further added that browsing the internet should be fun as well as educational, but the child's safety cannot be compromised.

Users can restrict websites on the recently-released Windows 7 as it has the facility of Parental controls. It can also restrict the type of games and applications used and can set time limits on the usage of computer.