USERS of the social networking site Facebook are being emailed photos of naked women in a bid to sell porn.

Facebook users in Ireland have been receiving private messages and when the email is clicked, a photo of a naked woman appears. Users can then click onto the person's Facebook page, where they are diverted to porn websites. Email addresses are also provided so that people can email the women, which suggests prostitution services may also be on offer.

The Sunday Tribune received three such emails within three days. Two of the Facebook pages have since been suspended by the social network following complaints, but the third remains in operation.

On it, the woman invites people to "view my sexy photo and video on my site" and provides her email address.

Rose Tully, a spokeswoman for the voluntary Parents Education and Children's Health organisation, said it was "disturbing" that users of Facebook ? who include children ? were being targeted in this way. "A lot of young children as well as adults use Facebook. We would be very concerned by this. We are advising parents to be extra vigilant. The service provider needs to address this problem. It is unacceptable that young people are being exposed to undesirable material," she said. "It is up to Facebook to put some safeguards in place to prevent this from continuing to happen."

Facebook works with the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Anti- Phishing Working Group to try and stop unwanted online communication. Pages are frequently removed when complaints are made if content is distasteful or against the law. It also provides security advice to prevent hacks, scams and spam.