ALMOST a year has passed since Peter Chapman was locked up for murdering North-East teenager Ashleigh Hall, after posing as a teenage boy on the internet.

The death of 17-year-old Darlington student Ashleigh has inspired improvements in internet safety, with her shocking story used to heighten awareness of the dangers online.

But a report by children’s charity Barnardo’s today shows that youngsters in the North-East are still meeting strangers they have encountered through their computers.

The report also highlights the terrifying fact that child trafficking and sexual exploitation of youngsters are becoming more organised. The internet has undoubtedly given society many benefits, but it is also a monster which is increasingly difficult to control.

Barnardo’s is calling for the Government to appoint a minister to co-ordinate efforts to tackle child grooming and sexual exploitation, and we support moves to raise the issue as high as possible up the political agenda.

But, while the Government undoubtedly has a role to play in protecting children, the first line of defence must lie with parents.

Despite the Ashleigh Hall tragedy, it remains commonplace for children to be allowed to use computers in the privacy of their bedrooms, without their parents having a clue as to what they are up to.

The evidence of the Barnardo’s report clearly suggests that it is only a matter of time before another child’s life is lost to an internet predator.

And it is up to parents to make sure that the risks to their children are minimised.