News

31/03/2008

The Byron Review on internet safety

The Byron Review was published during March. The Review looks into the risks to children from potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the internet and in video games.

A familiar face for many parents, thanks to TV programmes such as Little Angels and The House of Tiny Tearaways, Dr Byron was asked by Gordon Brown to explore what more can be done to restrict children’s access to inappropriate content. Her report made a series of recommendations, including:

• the creation of a new UK Council for Internet Safety which will be tasked with producing an online safety strategy within six months of its establishment
  
• a review of the law surrounding content on the internet which can be harmful but is not currently illegal, for example suicide sites.
  
• a new, tighter classification system for video games which will require all games to carry an age classification.

Dr Byron ruled out any specific recommendations on mobile phone – for the time being - but recommended that the newly created Council keeps the development and take-up of mobile internet under review.

O2UK Head of Public Affairs, Steve Bartholomew, said: “O2 is serious about helping parents to protect children from harmful content or inappropriate experiences when using the internet and we welcome the publication of the Byron Review.

We firmly believe that if society is to enjoy the full benefits of new media technology, it is crucial that we retain public confidence about the benefits as well as the safety of the internet, mobile phones and related products and services.

The Byron recommendations will shape our ongoing work on making mobile phones and the internet safer for children.”

See the Byron Review - Children and New Technology for the latest information about the review and how you can submit your views.

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