Developing an EU 2020 strategy to make a better internet for children

Patricia Manson Head of Unit

European Commission

Overview of presentation

• Why a strategy now?

• Our starting premises

• What it covers

• Taking it forward

• Stakeholders

• Funding

Why a strategy now?

• Key factors

• Children going online ever younger & on the move

• Multiplicity of connected devices – smart phones, tablets, games consoles, PCs, TVs etc

• Children are a market for these devices

• Digital single market – opportunity to provide new services and content for children

• Emerging (and maybe disparate) initiatives

• Growing political interest – education and skills, protection, cyber security

• Rapidity (and unpredictability) of change

• Lack of joined-up approach that recognises children as group with specific needs

Our starting points

• Strengthen opportunities for business

• counter possible fragmentation of the market arising from different (co)regulatory approaches and codes eg parental controls, content classification, illegal content

• Improve conditions and market for digital content for children – leveraging production of content, creating user-confidence and trust

• Strengthen opportunities for children

• Support digital literacy and competence – 21st century skills

• Encourage creativity – make the Internet a place to learn and play

Our starting points

• Mitigate risks and support user confidence

• Continue to support protection measures for access to harmful content and contact

• Manage (new) behavioural risks

• Continue to fight against illegal content, especially child pornography

Developing the strategy

• Acknowledges that children are a group of internet users with specific needs

• Combines and coordinates a series of instruments (regulation, self-regulation, financial support) for making a better internet for children

• Addresses all stakeholders

• Commission

• Member States

• Industry, NGOs

• Strong emphasis on self-regulation – but legislative action not ruled out if needed

Actions around 4 pillars

1. High quality content online for children and young people

2. Stepping up awareness and empowerment

3. Creating a safe environment for children online

4. Fighting against child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation

Pillar 1 - High quality content online for children and young people

Includes actions to:

• Stimulate the production of creative and educational content for children

• Promote positive online experiences for young children

Pillar 2 – Stepping up awareness and empowerment

Includes actions to:

• Promote digital and media literacy and teaching online safety in schools

• Scale up awareness activities and youth participation

• Offer simple and robust reporting tools for users

Pillar 3 – Creating a safe environment for children online

Includes actions to:

• Provide age-appropriate privacy settings

• Provide a wider availability and use of parental controls

• Provide a wider use of age rating and content classification

• Avoid overspending and inappropriate advertising to children online

Pillar 4 – Fighting agains child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation

Includes actions for:

• A faster and systematic identification of child sexual abuse material disseminated online, notification and takedown of this material

• Reinforcing international cooperation in the field

Taking the strategy forward

• Relies on industry, Commission and Member States

• Priority given to self-regulation – building on the CEO Coalition actions • Robust reporting mechanisms

• Age-appropriate privacy settings

• Content classification

• Parental control tools

• Take-down of child pornography

• Continuing to work with industry initiatives – delivering measures to monitor and review

• Member States – scale up their support awareness, operationalise eSafety education

Taking the strategy forward

• Commission • Financial support – through the Safer Internet

Programme

• Connecting Europe Facility – safer internet proposed as one of the digital services

• Horizon 2020 (from 2014)

• Work with current relevant legislation in force (Directive on combating sexual abuse, Data Protection, eCommerce Directive etc)

• Envisages further legislation if necessary

Today and the immediate future

• Communication on a better internet for children: Adopted: 02 May

• Text available on Safer Internet Programme website at: http://ec.europa.eu/saferinternet

• European Parliament own initiative report – Mrs Costa

• EESC committee report

• From INFSO to ConNECT – brings together inclusion, skills and youth, with learning as the core driver.

• CEF – Council Working Groups and EP - ensure the Safer Internet Services Infrastructure is understood by these decision makers

Thank you for your attention