London - It is something every parent dreads.
Your child, normally outgoing and talkative, suddenly becomes withdrawn after time online - and you have no idea why.
Whether it's Facebook threats or in an internet chatroom, young people are the most common victims of cyber-bullying.
To combat the threat the PSNI has launched an internet safety campaign to help worried parents deal with the unknown risks of the internet.
The campaign, launched on Safer Internet Day, aims to make students, parents and teachers aware of the dangers of the web through seminars in schools.
Police officers and teams from Microsoft Ireland visited 50 primary schools in Northern Ireland to deliver internet safety sessions and offer advice on tools for controlling online activities. It was launched after research by Microsoft revealed that 75 percent of children in the UK have been contacted by a stranger online, and half have lied about their age.
Dangers including online identity theft, anonymous offensive emails and cyber-stalking have left many young people across the country struggling to cope.
Dympna Thornton, educational adviser at the PSNI, said parents needed to be aware of the “potential risks” of the internet.
“Young people can become totally absorbed in the virtual world to the extent that lines between reality and the online world become blurred,” she said.
“By being mindful of a few rules, young people can ensure that their safety is not compromised.”
Barry McLean from Microsoft Ireland said it was “incredibly important” that parents were aware of their children's online activities.
“The advent of social media has created a world of sophisticated web users, but our children and young people still need guidance on what personal information can be safely shared online,” he said. - Belfast Telegraph