Clear Ministerial Accountability, Resource Commitments and Joined Up Government for Online Safety
Byron Review incorporates ISPA’s key recommendations
Thursday, 27th March 2008
The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK) – the UK’s leading Internet trade association - is delighted to see that the key recommendations given in its submission to the Byron Review in November have been acknowledged and that Dr Byron recognises the complexity of the issues.
Since its inception in 1995 ISPA members have worked hard to create a safer Internet through self regulation, investing in technological advancements and educating consumers. Making the Internet safer is a joint effort between the Internet industry, the Government and its agencies, and importantly end-users.
The Report’s recommendation for the Prime Minister to take a leadership role on this key issue through the creation of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety is fantastic. Through this body ISPA hopes to further engage with Government, child protection agencies and other key stakeholders including children, young people and parents.
Many ISPA members have committed extensive resources to raise awareness and promote the take-up of security and safety tools by Internet users. The Review actively sought the views of young internet users and the Report recognises the role parents must play. The Report recommends that parents should be supported to take active steps to manage their children’s online experience by properly deploying these tools. ISPA welcomes this.
A primary recommendation in ISPA’s submission to the Byron Review, reflected in the recommendations was for the creation of a properly funded public information and awareness campaign on Internet safety. This will reinforce safety messages, educate parents about the risks that children might face online and encourage them to explore options.
We hope that this campaign will build on ISPA’s advice to parents. Parents should; ensure that children use the Internet in a communal room, offer children regular reminders of online safety rules, know who children are talking to online, take time to surf the ‘net with children and ensure that the computer children use to access the Internet has functioning online safety software. Parents should also acknowledge the wealth of amazing educational and recreational content on the Internet, and children should be actively encouraged to go online safely.
The UK industry has an excellent track record of making the Internet safer through self-regulation.
The Byron Review recommendations aim to build on and improve the engagement of bodies like ISPA and the Internet industry with Government, law enforcement, child protection agencies and other stakeholders.
ISPA will continue to take part in initiatives designed to promote the safety of children online including the IWF, the remaining work of the Home Secretary’s Taskforce for Child Protection on the Internet and the various associated project groups. ISPA is also a member of the Internet Crime Forum and attends meetings of the Government Industry Forum.
Mrs Hendrie-Liaño, Chair of ISPA Council said, “It’s great news that the Byron Review acknowledges the Internet industry’s call for clear ministerial accountability, a coordinated strategy, a commitment to sustainable resourcing and a joined up Government approach for child safety on the Internet.”
“However, ISPA will be seeking further clarification on how the proposed codes will be developed and monitored. The development of the Council and a formal role for Ofcom suggests a shift in Government policy towards a co-regulatory model. ISPA would also like to understand in more detail the Review’s recommendations for codes on “harmful content”, in particular how any code would be developed and how this will benefit users over and above the good practice codes already proposed.”
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Notes to editors:
For further editorial information please contact the ISPA Press Office (020 7340 4535)
ISPA’s key recommendations
• Encourage a greater level of engagement among parents in taking active steps to manage their children’s online experience and raise the take-up levels of parental tools
• Large scale Government sponsored public awareness campaign would make a valuable contribution to reinforce safety messages, educate parents about the risks that children might face online and encourage them to explore options.
• Engagement with other players in the value chain such as computer and software manufacturers and the retail and advertising sectors would also be beneficial as part of Government led awareness campaign
• ISPA accepts that there is a multitude of information available to parents and children on various issues around Internet safety and supports the suggestion of creating a ‘one stop shop’ information initiative to add clarity for children, young people and parents in this area
The views expressed in this release are those of the Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA UK) and do not necessarily reflect the corporate policies of the individual companies that are members of the Association or other organisations that may be mentioned in the release.
About the Internet Services Providers’ Association:
The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK) was established in 1995 as a trade association to represent providers of Internet services in the UK. ISPA promotes competition, self-regulation and the development of the Internet industry. For a list of members or other information about ISPA, please consult the website: www.ispa.org.uk