Despite increasing media attention, almost 40 per cent of parents whose children use the internet are still unaware that file swapping of copyrighted material is illegal, according to a report conducted by Nielson NRG on behalf of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

The study also found that 55 per cent of parents know that their kids did not pay for the content, and 15 per cent are unsure as to how it was acquired.

And a third of parents who have themselves downloaded music or movies illegally learned how to do so from their kids.

Rich Taylor, vice president of public affairs at the MPAA, said in a statement: "The good news is that there is an abundance of information available to parents about safe, affordable and legal ways for their kids to enjoy the digital entertainment they love.

"Once parents take the time to get the facts and have the increasingly important 'download discussion', they are taking yet one more step in keeping their family safe and raising good 'digital citizens'."