THE WEBSITE at the centre of a Mail investigation into online grooming says it has banned children from accessing its chatrooms.
In a short statement emailed to the Mail, Metin Guckan, the site's spokesman, said: "Prodigits won't accept under-18s from now on."
Previously, under-15s were not permitted to become a member of the site, which contains chatrooms and forums popular with young people.
However, the Mail faked a date-of-birth suggesting we were 15 but then spelled out to men we exchanged messages with that we were 14.
It was not clear last night how the website would enforce the under-18s ban.
Posing as a vulnerable 14-year-old girl, our undercover reporter received hundreds of messages, many of them sexually explicit, from men.
Last night, the NSPCC praised the Mail for highlighting the issue to parents and called on them to be vigilant.
Jon Brown, the charity's head of strategy for sexual abuse, said: "The Mail's investigation has given a worrying insight into how easy it is for a young child to be groomed online.
"It was right to highlight this issue."
Mr Brown said, while the internet provides a wealth of information for young people, it carries inherent risks.
He said: "It's a fantastic resource and part of the fabric of today's society.
"At the epicentre of the internet's development has been personal freedom.
"But now is the time to look at tightening controls to protect children from online grooming."
Mr Brown said he was concerned but not surprised to learn of the results of the Mail's two-month investigation.
"From the work we do with children and the calls that come in to ChildLine, it's clear adults are using the internet as a means to get access to children.
"There are people who want to have sexual contact with boys and girls. That's the reality and it needs tackling."
Mr Brown applauded Prodigits for its decision to ban under-18s.
He said: "It was a sensible decision."
Hull City Council leader Councillor Steve Brady said he was "disturbed" by our investigation.
He said: "I am concerned. This investigation shows the darker side of the Internet."
Cllr Brady said parents should be mindful.
He said: "When I was a kid, we all sat round the TV or radio – that was our entertainment.
"These days, kids have computers in their bedrooms. The internet can be accessed on phones, too.
"People need to be aware of the dangers."
The Mail handed over 500 pages of print-outs to Humberside Police detectives, showing the Mail's online conversations with men.
One man has been arrested and bailed, pending further inquiries.
