The European Commission has proposed a new Safer Internet programme to enhance the safety of children in the online environment. Encompassing recent communications services from the Web 2.0, such as social networking, the new programme will fight not only illegal content but also harmful behaviour such as bullying and grooming. With a budget of 55 million euro, the programme, which builds further on the successful Safer Internet programme started in 2005, will run from 2009 to 2013.
The proposed new programme will:
· Reduce illegal content and tackle harmful conduct online: actions to provide the public with national contact points for reporting illegal content online and harmful conduct, focusing in particular on child sexual abuse material and grooming.
· Promote a safer online environment: fostering self-regulatory initiatives in this field. To stimulate the involvement of children and young people in creating a safer online environment, in particular through youth panels.
· Ensure public awareness: actions targeting children, their parents and teachers. Encourage a multiplier effect through exchange of best practices within the network of national awareness centres. Support contact points where parents and children can receive advice on how to stay safe online.
· Establish a knowledge base by bringing together researchers engaged in child safety online at European level. Establish a knowledge base on the use of new technologies by children, the effects these have on them, and related risks. Use this to improve the effectiveness of ongoing actions within the Safer Internet Programme.
The proposal takes into account the results of a public consultation on Safer Internet and online technologies for children which ran from April to June 2007:
It also includes recommendations made by children themselves at the European Youth forum organised by the European Commission for Safer Internet Day 2008.
In addition to the Safer Internet Programme, other political initiatives have taken place with leading mobile phones operators' agreement of February 2007 to develop self-regulatory codes to protect minors using mobile phones. More recently, the mobile industry also announced it would shut off all access to child pornography on mobile phones.
Blog Posting Number 1024
Tags: safe internet, illegal content, harmful conductsafe internet, illegal content, harmful conduct
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