INDUSTRY NEWS

Social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo are so popular with younger internet users because they allow them to express their identities, opinions and anxieties, it has been claimed.

According to a report from YoungMinds - a national charity dedicated to the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people - youths have a number of concerns about their lives.

Sarah Brennan, chief executive of the charity, explained that some youngsters fear they will never be employed, while others are worried about becoming stuck in a career that offers "nothing but a low wage".

While social networking sites allow these people to express themselves through a variety of media, Ms Brennan did admit that there are drawbacks including "cyber bullying, contact by adults with a sexual interest in children and the misuse of information".

Meanwhile, it was recently claimed by a new media consultant that broadcasters and media content providers must take responsibility for screening user-generated content (UGC) on their sites.

Speaking at a Westminster eForum Keynote Seminar, the International Paralympic Committee's Jochen Faerber suggested that automated vetting of UGC will increasingly be implemented in the future.