Making the Internet safer for kids
The Government has published the world's first 'models of good practice' aimed at making Britain 'the safest country for children on the Internet'.
There will also be a £1 million advertising campaign, including television and radio, running throughout January 2003. It will encourage parents to make sure their children understand the dangers of communicating with strangers online and will attempt to give them 'the skills and confidence required to address the issue of grooming activity with their children, without demonising the Internet.'
Online advertising on teen websites and chat rooms will run from 6 January, 2003, to the end of March. The web site has been redeveloped and updated with information and advice for young people who use the Internet.
Home Office Minister Hilary Benn said: "The Internet has opened up a new world for children which is educational, informative and, most of all, fun. But we are aware of the potential for paedophiles to misuse modern technology to abuse the trust that children place in them by attempting to 'groom' them through chat rooms.
"We want to encourage parents to help their children protect themselves so they can surf safely. Parents can play a role in making their children aware that strangers on the Internet may not always be who they say they are. The messages to children are clear; do not give out personal contact details online, and never meet up with someone you have met online unless accompanied by an adult.
"We do recognise that children can be tempted to give out personal details online, and I am grateful to the Taskforce for producing the good practice models so that the Internet industry can make chat rooms and other services safer for children."
The Models of Good Practice have been written by the Government's Taskforce on Child Protection on the Internet, which includes representatives from Government, the UK Internet industry, the child welfare organisations and the police. The Models give advice to providers of Internet content and services who offer chat, instant messaging and web-based services. They provide steps to follow to make their services safer for children.
Nicholas Lansman, Secretary General of the Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA UK) said: "Just like the offline world, the online world has its hazards. ISPA and its members want to make the UK Internet as safe as possible for younger users. Our work with the Home Office has produced another first for the UK Internet industry. The publication of this good practice shows ISPA's and the Government's commitment to making the UK the safest place for children to go online."
This awareness drive follows recent proposals outlined in the paper 'Protecting the Public', for a new offence of sexual grooming and a civil order intended to protect children from inappropriate sexual behaviour by adults.