With 672 votes in favour, nine against and 19 abstentions, MEPs adopted a report, drafted by Roberta Angelilli, on a European Commission proposal to ensure better protection for children via a new version of the 'Safer Internet' programme for 2009-2013. The report supports the original proposal but calls for greater emphasis to be placed on combating new developments, such as electronic harassment and psychological manipulation of children and expressions of physical and/or psychological aggression.
The programme will provide for:
- National contact points for reporting illegal content and harmful conduct;
- involvement of children and young people in initiatives to create a safer online environment;
- greater public awareness (information campaigns, exchange of best practice), and;
- a knowledge base, bringing together researchers engaged in online safety of children.
MEPs also say hotlines should be available to report illegal online content, and filters should be set up to prevent offending content from passing through online technologies. In addition, they wish to facilitate information exchange between member states, since illegal content can be uploaded in one country and viewed in another.
Out of the programme's overall budget of some €55 million, 48% should serve to ensure public awareness, 34% to fight against illegal content and tackle harmful conduct online, 10% to promote a safer online environment and 8% to establish a knowledge base.
