Brussels, 25/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 25 July, the European Commission launched a public consultation exercise on the potential risks for children of using mobile phones. The Commission is seeking input from all stakeholders (child safety, parent and consumer organisations, mobile network operators, content providers, handset and network manufacturers and regulators) on the potential dangers to which young mobile phone users are exposed, such as access to harmful or illegal content, bullying (e.g. distribution of abusive or compromising messages and photos), grooming (i.e. strangers “making friends” with children with a view to meeting them), risks to the privacy of children, and, on another level, the risk of unexpectedly high expense. The Consultation process will run until 16 October 2006. In principle, the Commission does not envisage proposing binding European legislation in this area (but does not either exclude such an eventuality; everything will depend on the outcome of the consultation process, said a Commission spokesman), because it would prefer a system of self-regulation of the type already in place in some Member States.
Over the last few years, the number of children and young people using mobile phones has grown spectacularly, as have the capabilities of mobile phones. According to a Eurobarometer survey of May 2006, 70% of European youngsters aged 12-13 and 23% of children aged 8-9 own a mobile phone. “Mobile phones are part of our daily lives, not only for adults but also for teenagers and increasingly for younger children. Mobile communication is a great opportunity for the development of Europe's economies and societies. However, at the same time, the protection of minors needs to be guaranteed,” said Commissioner Viviane Reding. “In my view, protection of minors in mobile communications is the responsibility of all actors: industry, child safety associations and public bodies. The more efficient self-regulation can become, the less the need for State intervention,” she commented in a press release.