EC presses for safer internet

Hotlines, forums, filters etc.

By Robin Lettice • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 9th December 2004 21:30 GMT

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The EU Telecommunications Council today today launched Safer Internet Plus, a scheme to help parents and teachers control what children view online.

An EU-wide survey on internet use has found that almost 60 per cent of parents do not know where to report illegal content. In response, Safer Internet Plus will set up hotlines for reporting illegal net content. These reports will be passed on "to the appropriate body for action".

The four-year programme will provide funding for the development of more effective content filters and to test the effectiveness of existing filters.

The Commission will run a safer internet forum to enable regulatory bodies to pool their experiences. >The programme will also facilitate the exchange of information about spam and how to deal with it, and will help to raise awareness of safe internet use.

"Today's parents and teachers want internet safety tools and skills. We must get more actively involved in our children's use of new media and in teaching them to use the Internet safely." said Viviane Reding, information society commissioner. ®