Many children aged nine to 11 are indulging in very risky behaviour online, suggests a survey.

Many are sharing personal information and playing games rated for much older children, found the survey drawn up by the ISC2 IT security education group.

"Primary school children know far more about the internet than their parents do," said Tim Wilson, an information security worker who carried out the survey for the ISC2 organisation which helps schools educate children about web safety.

"Youngsters actually participate in a lot of risky behaviours that I don't believe the parents know about," he said. "Not because of any ill will on behalf of the parents, it's just that the parents do not understand technology."

I think that kids who are almost immersed in the technology are more likely to understand than their parents. I know more about technology than my parents.

They might know about technology, but they don’t necessarily know about how others may be using it, and how that use may affect their lives.