ACTIVITIES :: Safer Internet Programme :: Self-regulation:: Social networking sites

Safer Social Networking Principles for the EU

Signature of the Principles

On 10 February 2009, during the Safer Internet Day in Luxembourg, major social networks active in Europe signed a self-regulatory document regarding the online safety of under 18s in the presence of Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media.

See the full text of the Principles and the list of signatories

Implementation of the Principles

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.

The first independent assessment was conducted in 2010 and the results were presented in Strasbourg.

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Steps leading to the adoption of the Principles

The Safer Internet Programme has focused on child safety and social networking since 2008, when the debate was raised at European level through the Safer Internet Forum. On this occasion, Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media, gave a speech on social networking. See also memo

In July 2008, the Programme launched a public consultation on child safety and social networking. The results of the public consultation have been summarized and a report was published. The Safer Social Networking Principles for the EU respond to the concerns expressed in the replies to the public consultation.

The adoption of the Principles is also the result of the Social Networking Task Force convened by the European Commission in 2008. 18 of Europe's major social networks as well as researchers and child welfare organizations were invited to discuss ways to improve the safety of children using social networks. The objective was the development of a set of guidelines for use of social networks by youngsters, to be adopted voluntarily by the European industry.

The Task Force decided that a commitment was needed to protect children online while maximizing the benefits of the Internet. Therefore, they agreed on a set of guiding principles for safer social networking which were signed on 10 February 2009 in Luxembourg by 18 companies.

In June 2009 two more signatories joined the Principles.

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