ACTIVITIES :: Safer Internet Programme :: Self-regulation

Self regulation: responsible stakeholders for a safer Internet

They way children use the Internet and mobile technologies has changed dramatically in the past years. At the same time, the internet can open a wide range of opportunities for youngsters when used safely and responsibly. In order to ensure that children, parents and teachers have access to the right tools and information for a safe use of the internet and new technologies, the Commission has always been a supporter of industry self-regulation which enables industry to create a system by which they can deal rapidly with any challenges that may araise.

Several self-regulation initiatives have been taken by the industry at European level with the support of the European Commission.

Coalition to make the Internet a better place for kids

The mid-term review of the work of the Coalition to make the Internet a better place for kids took place in July 2012. Overall, progress has been registered in all of the 5 action areas but more needs to be done in order to achieve the commitments made in the Statement of Purpose of the Coalition, including its Work Plan, especially when it comes to content classification and effective takedown of child abuse material.

You can read the report from the mid-term review meeting as well as the progress reports drafted by industry leaders for each one of the 5 actions:

Action 1 Simple and robust reporting tools for users progress report and annex
Action 2 Age-appropriate privacy settings progress report and annexes
Action 3 Wider use of content classification progress report and annexes
Action 4 Wider availability and use of parental controls progress report and annex
Action 5 Effective takedown of child sexual abuse material progress report

The Coalition, launched on 01 December 2011, is a cooperative voluntary intervention designed to respond to emerging challenges arising from the diverse ways in which young Europeans go online. Companies signatories to the Coalition committed to take positive action throughout 2012 in 5 areas: simple tools for users to report harmful content and contact, age-appropriate privacy settings, wider use of content classification, wider availability and use of parental controls, effective take down of child abuse material.

Signatory companies: Apple, BSkyB, BT, Dailymotion, Deutsche Telekom, Facebook, France Telecom - Orange, Google, Hyves, KPN, Liberty Global, LG Electronics, Mediaset, Microsoft, Netlog, Nintendo, Nokia, Opera Software, Research In Motion, RTL Group, Samsung, Skyrock, Stardoll, Sulake, Telefonica, TeliaSonera, Telecom Italia, Telenor Group, Tuenti, Vivendi and Vodafone.

Read the European Commission press release

Check Vice-President Kroes' blog

You can send us your comments and ideas on Twitter using the hash tag #BetterInternet4Kids

Check websites of the Coalition members and their statements and commitments to online safety for children

BT and video

France Telecom - Orange (EN) France Telecom Orange (FR)

Background

The way children in Europe use the internet and new technologies has changed dramatically in the past years. On average, children in Europe now start going online when they are seven. 38% of 9 to 12 year olds who are online say they have a social networking profile, in spite of age restrictions. More than 30% of children who go online do so from a mobile device and 26% via game consoles.

In this context, in order to ensure that children, parents and teachers can take advantage of all the benefits offered by the internet and new technologies and have a safe online experience, the Commission has initiated a coalition from all sectors of the ICT industry. Coalition members have also committed to working in a participative manner and engaging with interested parties such as child welfare and consumer NGOs, under the auspices of the European Commission.

The work plan of the Coalition, annexed to the Statement of Purpose, contains deadlines and performance indicators for each of these action points. The Coalition will review its work in the summer of 2012 and establish by then what subsequent review will be required.

Safer Social Networking Principles for the EU

"The Safer Social Networking Principles for EU" is a self-regulatory agreement, which includes guidelines for the use of social networking sites by children. This was voluntarily adopted by the industry in February 2009

See list of signatories and find out more about the Safer Social Networking Principles for the EU

The Commission committed to monitor the implementation of the Safer Social Networking Principles for the EU and in 2011 it published the findings of a second independent assessment report on the implementation of the Principles.

European Framework for Safer Mobile use by Young Teenagers and Children

In 2007 mobile operators signed the European Framework for Safer Mobile use by Young Teenagers and Children. The Framework describes principles and measures that the signatories committed to implementing on the national level throughout Europe by February 2008.

In June 2010 the GSM Europe association published the third report summarising the status of its implementation at national level.

See more on the European Framework signature and implementation