More than half of children in Scotland have not spoken to anyone after seeing something online that made them feel uncomfortable, according to a new survey.
And seventeen per cent of the eight to 17-year-olds surveyed for the study said that they did not raise their concerns because they were worried about getting into trouble, according to the Action for Children charity.
Action for Children is urging parents to talk to their children about the time they spend online.
Carol Iddon, director of children's services at Action for Children Scotland, said: "Just one in seven children told us that they had spoken to anyone after seeing something online that made them feel uncomfortable.
"We believe it's important for parents to ask children about the day they've had online, just as they ask about the day they've had at school."
The survey also revealed that of those children who did talk to somebody, nearly 86 per cent went to their parents, 33 per cent to their friends, and 14 per cent to a teacher.
Ms Iddon added: "Parents need to be open to discussions about their online worries. The best way to make yourself approachable is to talk to your children about their activity at all times - not just when you're concerned."
Action for Children commissioned OnePoll to survey 2,000 children aged eight to 17 about their activity online.
The charity is urging parents to remember certain tips for online use, including ensuring children know how to report and block people online, and remind them that the "same rules about bullying and 'stranger danger' apply online as they do in public places and at school."
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