KEY POINTS:
Sprat the fish has a serious role despite looking cute.
The cartoon character is part of the online cartoon series Hector's World, launched yesterday, which aims to educate children as young as 2 about internet safety.
Figures from internet safety group NetSafe show that four out of five New Zealand children use the web to help with their homework.
By age 6, 94 per cent used computers and 47 per cent had gone online.
Executive director Martin Cocker said research from an Auckland school revealed 24 per cent of 6-year-olds had used the internet unsupervised.
The internet was a valuable part of children's lives but it carried risks, such as identity theft and online bullying.
Mr Cocker said the Hector's World series, expanded from a pilot episode with $438,000 in government funding, taught young people online safety skills such as the importance of not disclosing identifying details.
Parent Robert Boniface said he welcomed the series.
His daughter Jessica, 8, the voice of inquisitive cartoon character Sprat, unintentionally signed up for a newsletter from overseas a couple of years ago when she entered details on a website to find out how to play knucklebones.
"She's just like any child - quite trusting," said Mr Boniface. "She's a lot more aware now of things that can go wrong."
KIWI E-KIDS
* 80 per cent do homework online
* 70 per cent correspond using email
* 69 per cent play online games
* 42 per cent using online instant messaging
SOURCE: NetSafe
