"The figures published by the European Commission are dramatic: over the last ten years, there’s been a 1,500% increase in the number of websites with child pornographic contents; 500 thousand new child pornographic pictures are published online every year; over 30% of the children who use the Internet state they have had at least one unpleasant encounter online", such as violent messages, sexual propositions, pornographic photos or films. Roberta Angelilli, Italian MEP, reported about the measure adopted by Parliament today. She explains: "This programme is evidence that Parliament and the Commission are committed to the fight against illegal online contents: from cyber-bullying to grooming", i.e. psychological manipulations by adults for luring children online. Other risks associated with the web include "paedophilia and child pornography, as well as the increasing spreading of contents that lead to self-injuring behaviours, including the instigation to anorexia and suicide". "We do not intend to blame the modern technology explained Angelilli but rather to protect our children and teenagers through information, education and prevention, all over the EU".
