The NSPCC is encouraging young people using online social networking sites to speak out about child abuse as part of its new Don’t Hide It initiative which was launched on 14th May.
See: http://www.donthideit.com/

Earlier this year the NSPCC ran a self-selecting online survey on www.Habbo.co.uk . Here’s a quote from the NSPCC online press release:
“There were 2,053 responses from young people (1,187 boys and 866 girls). 1036 had an unwanted experience online. 1071 used social sites at least once a day.

When asked for their top reasons for using social networking sites the poll asked young people to choose as many options as they wished. Top reasons were:

• Making new friends (1824)
• Connecting to friends I already know (1630)
• Improving communication skills (1324)
• Finding people like me (1315)
• Getting advice from people my age (1288)
• Knowing I’m not alone (1194)
• Sharing problems with people my age (1098)

3. 1094 children said they had used social networking sites to support a friend having a rough time; 1061 said they had used social networking to find support when having a rough time.”

For more info from the nspcc website click here