Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Friday said social networking sites have become a major problem in the country and if not used with control, could have 'disastrous' results on the younger generation.
Inaugurating the two-day 'International Cyber Security and Policing Conference' here, he said social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are popular among youth but the 'hidden matter' within is the biggest malice affecting children.
Quoting a recent survey, Chandy said the average time spent by 33 percent of children on the web is about 60 minutes, while around six percent spent more than six hours.
"This rise in number of users has also seen a rise in cyber crime activities, particularly those targeted towards children," he said.
The Chief Minister said children and women are most vulnerable in cyber related crimes.
Crimes like pornography, cyber stalking, cyber cheating and hacking are primarily used against women, he said, adding "most of this happens due to lack of awareness and poor cyber security measures adopted."
