A national website to help teachers and parents protect children from paedophiles and pornography has been launched by academics at Preston's university.

The site www.internetsafetyzone.com brings together experts from the Government, computer companies, child welfare organisations, and academics.

It has been created by the National Internet Safety Information Centre and Cyberspace Research Unit, based at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

Rachel O'Connell, head of the unit, said: "Young people are increasingly becoming active consumers, creators, and producers of content online, and in doing so exercise fundamental human rights to seek, receive and share information however they choose.

"But this constantly evolving environment has called for a new approach which equips young people with the knowledge, tools and understanding to critically engage safely in on and offline activities."

Called Cyber-wellness, www.internetsafetyzone.com sets out how to pay consideration to young people's development as well as psychological and emotional well being.

Research from the London School of Economics found as many as 92 per cent of nine to 19-year-olds are accessing the internet at school, and most have seen porn on the net, and only 40 per cent said they would tell their parents if something on the net made them feel uncomfortable.