Many parents are purchasing domain names for their newborn babies. As having a web presence becomes increasingly important, many parents are even choosing names for their children for which they know they can register unique domains.

Some experts argue that it is something of a leap of faith to assume that the same system will be used in fifteen or twenty years' time to identify websites. With the number of available Domain Names rapidly shrinking, it is not unthinkable that a new system could be introduced within the next decade or so, making these parents' forward thinking virtually worthless.

However, at only a few pounds or dollars a year, a Domain Name is hardly an expensive investment. Some parents are already putting their children's domain names to good use, displaying pictures and newsletters about their newborns.

Others are concerned about security. The public Whois database, which stores the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all domain name registrants, is a worry for some parents.

Many parents are also securing their children's names as webmail addresses. One mother has registered her children's names as Hotmail accounts, and sends updates to friends and family about her children from the addresses.