Brussels, 09/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - Making using the Internet and on-line technologies safer for children, teachers and parents. This is the objective of the Community "Safer Internet Plus" programme, which was formally adopted by Thursday's Telecommunications Council for the period 2000-2008 (see p/17 for the EP's position).
Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for the Information Society, said that she was "very pleased with the adoption in record time, by both the European Parliament and the European Commission, of this instrument which is at the service of society (…). Today, children are always in greater contact with dangerous contents. It is essential to prepare them for this, especially by raising awareness among parents". According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, many parents in Europe are unaware of the risks facing their children when they surf the web, and nearly 60% of them do not know where to report illegal and harmful content. On this point, Viviane Reding pointed out that "one of the achievements of the "Safer Internet" programme currently in place has been the creation of a network of 'hotlines' in the fifteen Member States in question, plus Iceland. This network allows the police to be made aware of dangerous content, and has led to the arrest of 20 people in Spain involved in child pornography".
"Safer Internet Plus" will concentrate mainly on awareness. Its budget of 45 million EUR will be divided up as follows: 47-51% for awareness-raising activities, 25-30% for
the fight against illegal content, 10-17% for the processing of unwanted and harmful content (SPAM), 8-12% for promoting a safer environment. The new Community programme especially provides for the finalisation of technologies that filter the volume of unwanted content. The Commission will encourage an exchange of experience between national regulators through a "Forum for a Safer Internet".
In a press release, the European Telecommunications Network Operators' association (ETNO) points out that these operators are actively involved in the battle to ensure networks and information are secure. It supports the EU's action in this field and especially the action plan for a "Safer Internet".