The Government is not doing enough to make safe and equal access to IT a reality for all of the UK's children and young people, says a leading children's charity.

NCH this week launched its IT OK campaign to highlight the fact that disadvantaged children, who have the most to gain from IT, often have the least opportunity to access it and are the most at risk.

The charity is calling for the creation of a national strategy that fully exploits the opportunities of IT, while controlling its risks, and which puts the needs of vulnerable children at the forefront of future policy development.

Deryk Mead, Chief Executive of NCH, said: "New technology presents huge opportunities, as well as big risks, for children and NCH believes that with the right approach IT can be OK.

"NCH works with thousands of children and young people every year who are already disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.

"If the Government is genuinely committed to offering all young people equal access to education, social and employment opportunities, then they have no option but to provide equal access to IT. Without it they are denying children the chance to reach their full potential in life."

One young person who attends an NCH leaving care project revealed how access to IT can make a real difference.

He said: "I've found the Internet, which I use at the project, good for looking for jobs and for finding out about courses at college, and I'm now using e-mail to keep in touch with my Mum who lives a long way away in Newcastle."

NCH launched a IT OK booklet with recommendation on future IT policies and safety issues regarding children's use of the Net at an Internet Safety Summit at the Home Office this week.

For more information of Net safety and the IT OK campaign see the NCH website.