The National Youth Agency: A generation of youth is being 'raised online'

This new research came ahead of the final report of the Byron Review of children and new technology, set up by Gordon Brown in 2007, headed by Dr Tanya Byron and launched last week.

IPPR worked with young people aged between 13 and 18, holding deliberative workshops and in-depth interviews. The research found that young people are "constantly connected" staying up to the early hours with some leaving their mobile phones on all night in case they receive a text message. But a lack of parental knowledge and understanding means few have any idea about what their children are doing online.

Jon Boagey, director of communications at The National Youth Agency, said: "The IPPR research is welcome because it reflects the reality of young people's online experience. We need industry, government and regulators to set the framework for better safety, but the research suggests there is a much more complex debate. We need to work with and involve young people so that, to be effective, regulation makes sense to them. Safety is a concern, but we shouldn't be driven by fear. Young people have embraced digital media. We must also find ways of recognising and nurturing the talent and creativity that young people demonstrate online. School is not always the best place to do this. Young people are most likely to learn from their peers. This research recognises the importance of youth work to engage and enable young people in their use of digital media."