Est. 2min 23-10-2008 (updated: 28-05-2012 ) web_internet_child_laptop.jpg Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram By overwhelming majority, the European Parliament yesterday (22 October) approved a new programme to make the Internet safer for children. The initiative builds on a 2005 ‘Safer Internet’ plan by encompassing newer Web 2.0 communication services like social networking. 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. Read more with Euractiv EU warns of permanent hearing damage from iPods"Listening to personal music players at a high volume over a sustained period can lead to permanent hearing damage," according to an opinion delivered by the EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). Positions Socialist Group shadow rapporteur on the issue, Iliana Iotova (Bulgaria), said children aged between 12 and 15 spent at least three hours a day online, explaining that lawmakers' intention was to ensure they were protected from the dangers of illegal content and harmful conduct online. "The focus of the programme is on information for parents and teachers. It will promote measures designed to encourage positive internet content and give information to parents, teachers and child-minders on the usefulness of firewalls," Iotova said. EPP-ED group spokesman on the report, Csaba Sógor (Hungary), called for a safer online environment by combating illegal content and countering internet abuse. "We foresee contact points and hotlines for reporting online illegal content and abusive conduct. In particular, activities should be aimed at creating close cooperation between national authorities, police and contact points to prevent and combat the phenomenon," Sógor said. EU Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding issued a statement commending the launch of the programme. "Today's children and teenagers face new challenges when they use Web 2.0 services […] I am particularly glad that the Parliament addressed the Commission's proposal so promptly and strongly endorsed our proposals to make the Internet safer for children," she stated. BackgroundIn recent years, the EU has been leading the way to make the Internet safer for children. Children and teenagers are keen internet users, but are not always aware of Web dangers such as 'bullying' and 'grooming'. 'Bullying' includes actions like sending embarrassing cellphone pictures of a teenager taken by a classmate to other schoolchildren or putting them online. 'Grooming' refers to actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child, in order to lower his or her inhibitions in preparation for sexual abuse. In a recent Eurobarometer poll, virtually all the children interviewed said they had been accidentally exposed to pornographic images, and many said they had been approached for grooming in chatrooms. Further ReadingEuropean Union European Parliament:Multiannual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies European Parliament:A safer internet for children European Commission:Making internet a safer place European Commission:Commission welcomes Parliament’s strong support for a new Safer Internet programme European Commission:An even safer internet for children
