Worldwide, children are getting hooked on to the WWW. Matters have reached such a state, that in Singapore school kids and parents are being educated about the growing menace of Net addiction. According to the research of a group of psychiatrists, 'the psychological affects of Net addiction are comparable with drug or alcohol abuse'.

It's therefore necessary to detect whether your child has been affected by overexposure. This Parent-Child Internet Addiction Test will help give you an inkling.

Potential dangers of too much surfing could come in the form of cyber-paedophiles, violent games and inappropriate content. There are also physical repercussions like lethargy, ophthalmologic problems, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), as well as psychological disorders that affect the child's social skills. Also, on a psychological level, children may experience trouble differentiating between the 'real' and virtual world. Mentally, the child will be exposed to all types of information that could affect him in a negative manner.

Anju Mathur, Child Psychologist at Veer Bhagat Singh Vidyalaya, Mumbai, says, "Overexposure to the Net can cause addiction to it - something similar to TV watching. It may lead to change in the child's behaviour, acting out of sorts, increase in aggression hostility and sexual fantasies, etc. Children who give out personal information about themselves on the Net may even become victims of paedophiles."

Now, with the Internet making a presence in more and more Indian schools, could children be adversely affected by the over-exposure? "There is very little exposure to the Net," says Anthony Fernandes, who teaches computers at St Anne's School, Borivli, Mumbai. "Only the ninth and tenth standard students are allowed to surf. Younger pupils are kept away from it, and are only taught the basics."

But for children who have a growing number of unanswered questions, the Net is an attractive and easily accessible resource. Once they realise that they can find what they are looking for online, children could easily get addicted. This overexposure can have diverse effects on their physical and mental growth.

Manju, housewife and mother of two kids, doesn't allow her children to surf. She says, "The Internet can be misused by the kids. It could impact them physically, in the form of eye defects, mental strain and other inabilities." She says she'll only allow them to get online when they are about 14 or 15 years old. It is then that they will be able to sieve the good from the bad, she feels.

Chinmay Mishra, seventh standard student of Leelavati Bai Poddar School, Santa Cruz, Mumbai, surfs only when he has to work on a school assignment. He says, "I'm more of a computer games buff and have yet to get online to visit web sites".

But, for every problem there is a solution. A combined effort of parents, teachers and psychologists could help tackle Net mania and make it safer for young surfers.

You can find many options online. GetNetwise has educational resources, safety tips and information on Net filters. Children can log on to Surfnetkids to get the best of educational and infotainment sites. BBC offers more safe surfing tips.

Also, when searching for information, youngsters could be encouraged to use child safe search engines.

Parents need to educate their children. They need to sit with the child and help regulate his or her Net routine right from the very first time. This could help prevent addiction.

Internet Safety is a useful manual that parents could refer to. This parental alert offers further advice.

Mathur jots down some safety guidelines: Children can be exposed to the Net around the same time they are exposed to the computer, preferably around six years of age (Standard I). Initially it could be just exposure to something that the parent or the teacher chooses to show to them - something related to the child's interest, like animals or environment related sites, or material related to their curriculum. The time online can be restricted to half an hour or 45 minutes. Parents can monitor their activities and guide them.

Fernandes feels that "exposure to the Net should be a gradual process. Teachers should make children aware of the harmful effects of addiction and guide them in the right direction." Kids Web Guide acts as an informative guide for teachers.

After all, preventing children from surfing is not the answer. This report from Safeandsmart brings to the fore the positive effects of the Internet on kids. It can prove to be an educational and information haven for schoolgoers.

Thus, exposure to the Net in regular measures and under the proper guidance of an elder can help the child develop a structured surfing routine. Over-exposure can be avoided and kids will no longer be caught in a tricky Web.

Tomorrow: What Kids Want Online