Tech Shout!

A virtual ID card has been designed to improve safety over the Internet for children. This service has been launched in the U.K., Canada, U.S. and Australia. Called the NetIDMe, this card can be swapped by children online when using chatrooms, instant messaging and social networks.

Parents and children can apply for the NetIDMe card using credit card details and a form, which has been countersigned by a professional who knows the child concerned. After a spate of online dangers such as adults targeting kids online leading to abuse, it is hoped that this card will make it harder for adults to pose as children when online. Especially since The Child exploitation and online protection Centre (CEOP) has said that one in 12 children met up with someone they encountered online for the first time.

The ID scheme was set up by UK businessman Alex Hewitt, soon after he disocovered that his daughter could only verify the age and identity of only a third of her 150 online friends. Alex said, “People want to feel safe online and know the people they are talking to are who they say they are.”

The company said that it would also use software techniques similar to those used by the passport agency to authenticate applications for the ID card. The system can only work if two children messaging each other online have both signed up to the scheme.

Children swap their assigned NetID nicknames and take turns to log onto the service’s website. The IDs are confirmed only if both parties have entered their e-mail address and passwords into the service.

Jim Gamble, chief executive of the Ceop Centre, said: “Any measure that can help identify the real age of someone online is one more step to deterring people from assuming different online identities to exploit, groom and abuse children over the internet.” The card is estimated to cost around 10 pounds a year.