The Internet is a marvellous invention. Soon many more people will be able to enjoy its benefits: Tony Blair was today telling a conference that he wanted everyone hooked up within five years.

However, there is a downside to the unregulated freedom of cyberspace. Today we reveal the ease with which it is possible to buy illegal drugs online. There is worryingly little the authorities can do to stop those who undertake such transactions.

The answer is vigilance. Parents should be alert to the dangers and monitor their children's Net use, just as they already monitor their television viewing. In that way the whole family can make the most of living in the Internet age.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.