Brussels, 06/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - According to a study carried out by independent experts during the first half of 2006, the EU's Safer Internet programme has been very effective in tackling illegal and harmful internet content, whilst respecting people's freedom of expression. Stakeholders see the EU as a pioneer, as it identified early the problem of illegal and harmful internet content. The design and concept of the Safer Internet Action Plan is used in many other countries, in the Asia-Pacific region and in Northern and Latin America as a model of how to tackle such online content while respecting freedom of expression.
The Safer Internet programme is at the head of a network of 21 national hotlines for end users to anonymously report illegal internet content; and the creation of 23 national awareness nodes to promote safer internet use to children, parents and teachers. According to INHOPE, the International Association of Internet Hotlines, about 65,000 reports were referred to national and international law enforcement agencies during 2005 for further action and investigation. The EU's “Safer Internet plus” programme (2005-2008) is promoting "combined hotlines and awareness nodes". Pilot projects to encourage cooperation between hotlines and law enforcement agencies will be funded from 2007. Stronger support is needed from Member States to promote awareness of hotlines among end users and to promote better cooperation between hotlines and other stakeholders, in particular the police and Internet Service Providers. The INSAFE coordinator, European Schoolnet Partnership, a public-sector consortium funded by 26 education ministries, is to facilitate a dialogue with national administrations, and between teachers and awareness nodes. The new EU-funded project EUkids online will improve knowledge of children's behaviour on internet and their present perception of risks. To strengthen awareness of filtering tools, in particular among parents and schools, the Commission is also funding an assessment of the filtering software and services currently available (SipBench). The first results are expected in December this year. (il)