Internet child porn reports rise 50% each year

REPORTS of alleged child pornography on the internet are increasing by a rate of 50% each year, according to web watchdog, hotline.ie.

The hotline received almost 700 reports in the 18 months up to June 2001. At least another 700 reports have come in during the last 12 months, according to Cormac Callanan, site’s director.

There are no known Irish cases of children being abused as a result of initial contact being made through an internet chat room but, Mr Callanan warned, it could happen at any time.