EU backs self-regulation of web

THE EUROPEAN UNION has proposed that industry, parents and regulators should create a Safer Internet Programme to provide a system of self-regulating the Internet to protect children.

It has asked European member states and MEPs to approve a €55m budget for creating a system of self-regulation based on technologies to regulate access, set up a network of centres for educating parents about online risks, and preventing the distribution of content deemed harmful to children.

To achieve this end, it proposed bringing an end to the stand off
between the internet industry and those trying to tame the web.

It would bring together those "who do not necessarily always come together unless the appropriate structures are put in place", including internet, telecoms together with media firms, parents, educators, regulators, children's rights and welfare campaigners, police, charities and policy makers.

It would boost national contact points already established for the
reporting of illegal and harmful activities, broadening its remit to
include and primarily focus on material involving child sex abuse,
grooming and cyber bullying. Technical solutions would be developed to control illegal and harmful content.

The number of web sites containing child sex abuse material increased by 1,500 per cent in the UK between 1997 and 2005, the proposal noted. Depictions of severe abuse increased four-fold, while more material was being produced " domestically" and featured more and younger children.

20,000 children were recorded in abuse images collected by Interpol, the international police unit, of whom just 500 had been identified and rescued.

The EU also proposed drawing together research on the sociological and psychological consequences of children's access to illegal and adult material. It would also set up national awareness centres.

The announcement proceeds the publication of the British government's Byron Review into what measures should be taken to protect children from adult content on the internet and in video games by a matter of weeks.

L'Inq
Safer Internet Programme