CYBER PASSPORT; Kids' net ID to hit perverts.

Byline: By Stephane Charrier

INTERNET paedophiles who pose as youngsters to groom victims could be stopped by software launched yesterday.

Glasgow firm NetIDme have created virtual passports for children using the internet to help stop them falling prey to online perverts.

Inventor Alex Hewitt, 40, hit on the idea a year ago when he discovered his then 13-year-old daughter didn't know many of the people on her computer buddy list.

The father-of-three said: 'My daughter had a chat buddy. I asked, 'Who is this guy?' She said it might be someone at school but she didn't know. It scared the life out of me.'

The software, which costs pounds 10 a year, works by children registering online for an ID card and the company emails their parents to run rigorous background checks.

Parents must provide proof of address, home telephone number and a letter from a professional to confirm their child's identity.

Youngsters are encouraged to use the system by winning points every time they ask for and view another user's Net ID card. They can exchange points for prizes such as cinema tickets and CDs.

The system is targeted at nine to 16-year-olds but it is also useful for adults chatting to someone claiming to be much older than they are.

At least 40 children have been raped by paedophiles in the past three years after they were groomed by their attackers in chatrooms, the charity National Children's Homes said yesterday.