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Archive for November, 2007

Child Safety Online - 3rd press release, IGF 2007

PRESS RELEASE

November 2007

For immediate release

CHILD ONLINE SAFETY AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

Intensive discussion on child protection online, internet governance and security and a development agenda for internet continues on the third day of the IGF in Rio.

While workshops on these themes provide a valuable forum for exchange of technical information, the absence of links for dialogue between special interest groups represented at the IGF was identified by the many stakeholders present in Rio.

In particular, they felt that such dialogue was needed to create the foundation for putting in place a system that would ensure the protection of children online while safeguarding the freedom of expression.

To address this need delegates met at an open forum at which they agreed to establish a Dynamic Coalition on Child Online Safety and Freedom of Expression in keeping with the spirit of the IGF multi-stakeholder structure. The Coalition aims to establish a constructive dialogue to address fundamental and practical issues impacting on both these complex and potentially contentious issues.

By Nana | November 15, 2007 | Topics: Conferences, EU Kids Online | No Comments »

Child Protection Online - second press release, IGF 2007

PRESS RELEASE

13th November 2007
For immediate release

CHILD PROTECTION ORGANISATIONS CALL FOR GREATER DIALOGUE WITH FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ADVOCATES AT IGF TO ESTABLISH COLLABORATIVE ACTION ON CHILD PROTECTION.

Following on from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon statement of the importance of protecting children online at the inaugural session of the second IGF in Rio, [i] members of child protection organisations present have been active in contributing to the sessions of the Forum, demonstrating a range of ways in which various stakeholders can take practical steps to better protect children under the issue of internet governance.

Today, at the IGF workshops on protecting children against sexual exploitation through ICTs children’s organizations regretted that so few industry representatives and freedom of expression advocates were present. One representative from the industry underscored the need for face to face open dialogue around the regulatory measures being undertaken and proposed for child protection and the imperative to protect freedom of expression.

The workshops highlighted the work of NGOs and their collaboration with industry and government concerning online child safety. Increasingly NGOs are working with industry to develop self-regulatory frameworks which respond to public concerns regarding the risks and harms experienced by children in the online environment. However such initiatives appear to be limited to a few developed countries and only a small number of industry stakeholders. This signals that the value of such partnerships in shaping policies and programmes has yet to be recognized if the global challenge to end the exploitation of children through information and communication technologies is to be met.

David Butt, an ECPAT Board member and legal expert on child abuse cases says,

“The broad consensus across civil society, industry and government on the need to protect children from sexual exploitation online is of paramount importance. It provides a great opportunity for progress, but the challenge is for all sectors to build on this consensus constructively and comprehensively.”

John Carr the Chair and spokesperson for Children’s Charities in the UK says,

“There is no necessary contradiction between the desire to protect children online and the desire to protect free speech online”

Margaret Moran a member of Parliament in the UK and Chair of EURIM says, “Industry self regulation is desirable but it must have government support. At the same time legislative initiatives must be kept broad and flexible to respond to fast changing technologies.

END

 

[i] “One particular area of hope, but also concern, is the relationship of children and young people with the Internet. The Internet has opened new doors to them, to knowledge and culture. Yet, it can also present a threat to their safety. The program of this year’s meeting has a strong focus on the protection of children. And I hope that it will contribute to making them safer.” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon statement of the importance of protecting chidren oline at the inaugural session of the second IGF in Rio “

By Nana | November 14, 2007 | Topics: Conferences, EU Kids Online, General, Ljubljana Summer School | No Comments »

IGF - press release from Child Safety Online group

As a representative of EU Kids Online, I am participating in Child Safety Online group at IGF. We produced the following press release:

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PRESS RELEASE

12th November 2007
For immediate release

CHILD PROTECTION ORGANISATIONS WELCOME UN SECRETARY GENERAL’S STATEMENT OF THE UN’s COMMITMENT TO CHILD ONLINE SAFETY AT IGF IN RIO.

Representatives from a number of leading Child Protection organisations meeting at the Internet Governance Forum in Rio today, welcomed the commitment expressed by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon at the inaugural session of the second IGF for a strong focus on child protection online at the IGF.

Members of child protection organisations working towards online child protection in very many parts of the world are addressing the very real online safety issues for young people. Members are contributing to a number of key sessions at the IGF meeting including;

The groups recognise the enormous value of the Internet has for children and young people but are increasingly seeing at first hand how children and young people are at risk from inappropriate contact, content and excessive commercialism online.

John Carr one of the members of the group representing children’s charities in the UK says, “As more and more children come online it is crucial that all sectors including Governments and Industry recognise their responsibility to protect children and ensure that the issue of child safety is addressed at the highest level.”

Stephen Balkam CEO of the FOSI (Family Online Safety Institute) in Washington says, “We are increasingly recognising the shared responsibility we all have for ensuring that children can use the internet and mobile services safely. Education in school and for parents is crucial but this has to be complimented by better tools and services from industry players as well as appropriate government oversight .”

Carmen Madrinan CEO from ECPAT

“Whilst we welcome the recognition of the importance of child protection online, we need to ensure that we go beyond words and realise the practical implications for protecting children’s rights and providing safer environments and secure services for young people online. It is crucial that the voice of the Child is consistently heard.”

END

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By Nana | November 13, 2007 | Topics: Conferences, EU Kids Online, Research | No Comments »

Internet Governance Forum 2007, Rio de Janeiro

At the moment I am sitting at the IGF, in between two very interesting workshops, titled Measures to Prevent and Fight Child Pornography on the Internet: Strategies for Developing countries and Protecting Children from Sexual Exploatation through ICTs.

More later ….

By Nana | November 13, 2007 | Topics: Conferences, Les Voyages | No Comments »