A FIFTH of schoolchildren in Hampshire have witnessed animal cruelty and neglect online, the RSPCA reveals.

Polling carried out by Beautiful Insights for the RSPCA revealed 19.8 per cent of 10-18-year-olds in the South East had seen animal cruelty on social media sites.

The animal welfare charity reports that it sees nearly 5,000 incidents of cruelty and neglect on social media reported to it each year, more than 500 of which are in the South East.

Last year, Hampshire had the highest number of animal cruelty incidents on social media when compared to other counties in the South East.

It saw 138 incidents in 12 months, and this year there were a reported 53 incidents from January to June.

Young children are being exposed to horrific incidents of animal suffering online in ways previous generations have not experienced.

In response, the RSPCA is launching Generation Kind - its biggest ever education and prevention programme aimed at children and has launched a petition calling for animal welfare to be taught in all schools.

Chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “The risk for children growing up in the 21st century is that frequent and casual exposure to animal abuse will desensitise them and may even make it seem acceptable.

"Animals need us now more than ever and we want to grow a new generation of young people who care, who are informed and who want to do their best for animals."

A new poll by the charity revealed 79 per cent of people in the South East say that animal welfare should taught in schools.

Teaching animal welfare would ensure children develop key life skills, including compassion and empathy, as well as respect for animals and a basic understanding of how to care for them.

The RSPCA also believes animal welfare could make a significant contribution to young people’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, which all schools must promote.

Generation Kind comprises nine projects; Paws4Change, Wild Things, Animal Care Apprenticeships, Compassionate Class, Look After Children, Great Debates, Teacher Training, Breaking The Chain and Volunteer Speakers.

To sign the petition, visit: rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/education/action/petition.