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Safer Internet Programme 2009-2013

Encompassing recent communications services from the web 2.0, such as social networking, the new Safer Internet Programme will fight not only illegal content but also harmful conduct such as grooming and bullying. A new action will aim to build up the knowledge base.

Period covered: 2009-2013

Budget: € 55 million

Main objectives:

Increase public awareness;
Provide the public with a network of contact points for reporting illegal and harmful content and conduct, in particular on child sexual abuse material, grooming and cyber bullying;
Foster self-regulatory initiatives in this field and involve children in creating a safer online environment;
Establish a knowledge base on new trends in the use of online technologies and their consequences for children's lives.

What's new in this programme?

The general scope of the programme was extended to:

Include emerging online technologies;
Cover harmful conduct, like grooming and cyber-bullying;
Aim at establishing a knowledge base within this field, in order to ensure maximum impact of the activities and to be able to take up new uses and risks.

Work Programmes

Annual work programmes provide details about the objectives, priorities and an indicative timetable for their implementation, within the general framework of the multi-annual programme.

Programme evaluation

The Commission reports to the European Parliament and Council on the implementation of the programme. In addition, at mid-term and at the end of each multiannual programme a general evaluation of the programme is carried out.

Interim evaluation of Safer Internet 2009-2013

Steps leading to the adoption of the Programme

16 December 2008: the Safer Internet Programme 2009-2013 was adopted by Decision No 1351/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (published in the Official Journal L 348/118 of 24.12.2008).
- Read the full text of the programme in your own language
9 December 2008: adoption if the new Safer Internet Programme by the Council of Ministers (see press release)
22 October 2008: adoption of the report supporting the new Safer Internet Programme by the European Parliament
21-22 May 2008: EU ministers have agreed on a general approach on the new proposal establishing a multi-annual Safer Internet Programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies at the EU "Education, Youth Affairs and Culture" Council from. See memo
27 February 2008: the European Commission proposes a new programme Safer Internet 2009-2013 (see press release).
- Proposal ( 165 kB)
- Impact assessment ( 305 kB)
- Impact assessment summary ( 48 kB)
- The proposal has been drawn up based on the principles of continuity and enhancement
Continuity: continue doing what Europe does best by taking account of lessons learned and building on the achievements of the initiatives developed under the preceding programmes so as to ensure that their effects continue;
Enhancement: meet new threats, understand better the evolution of existing conduct, ensure European added value, stimulate a multiplier effect, broaden the knowledge base and international cooperation.