Patna: The negative impact of the Internet on children came up for discussion at a Unicef function on Friday.

The international organisation also launched its annual flagship publication "State of the world's children: Children in digital word" at the event on Friday.

Listing the problems Internet poses, Unicef's Bihar communication specialist Nipurnh Gupta named cyber crime, online bullying, sexual offences and risk of private data falling into wrong hands.

According to experts, one out of three children have access to Internet, more in developed countries than in developing ones. Slow speed, 65 per cent of content being in English and content mostly related to educated class is a reason for fewer people using Internet. "The Net gives children a platform to raise controversial issues," said Nipurnh. "But it can't replace teachers."

Ramnarayan, a blind Class 12 student from a Patna school, said Internet and smart phones had helped him communicate better but sometimes also created problems.

Social welfare department director Sunil Kumar said: "Thirty per cent of children are trafficked because of information on the Internet."

Unicef's Bihar unit chief Asadur Rahman said: "Internet might expose child to risks and harm. We must protect children from cyber crime, and the first responsibility is of parents. Policy-makers, too, should ensure safe surfing."

Inspector-general (EOU) J.S. Gangwar said: "Internet does open gates to limitless skies, but those gates have breaches too. We need to limit it, otherwise cyber crime like ATM fraud, political and religious cyber crimes will go up."