Brussels, 20/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - The committee on culture and education of the European Parliament has pleaded in favour of the adoption of new measures designed to protect children from the dangers of the Internet. Last week, the MEPs adopted, almost unanimously (one single vote against), the report by Marielle De Sarnez (ALDE, France) on the protection of minors and human dignity, and the right to reply in the media. The text calls upon the Member States to take the necessary measures in their legislation or national practices to ensure better protection of minors in audiovisual services and on-line information. Among the recommended measures, the De Sarnez report suggests, in general, better awareness for teachers and trainers and specific training on Internet techniques for children, from the very young age, together with information campaigns (distribution of information kits on the dangers of the Internet). It also calls for direct action to be taken against child pornography on the Internet. More specifically, the MEPs suggest the creation of a new second level domain name, to be known as ".kid" (to be used in the same way as ".com" or ".org", for example), with content reserved for children, and which would be regularly checked by an independent authority. The Commission should also look into the implementation of a European freephone number, as part of the "Safer Internet Plus" programme, supplying information on existing filtering methods. This number, associated with appropriate technological solutions, would make it easier to complain to the competent authorities and to reject harmful content. Most recent statistics show that young people now spend more time on the Internet than watching television, said Ms De Sarnez. According to the MEP, information provided by various Member States (including Ireland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark) indicates that one young person out of every three using chat rooms has had advances of a sexual nature. The report, which is to be approved by a co-decision procedure, is to be voted on in plenary in September.