UK issues code of practice for child safety on the internet

The "Models of Good Practice" were developed by the Government in cooperation with internet bodies and child protection agencies, and focus on all areas of chat, instant messaging and web services.

The guidelines are, according to the Home Office, designed to help children control their on-line experience and to target internet grooming, the practice of paedophiles using the internet to contact their victims.

The guidelines encourage providers of internet services to limit the amount of children's personal information made available to other users. Providers of such services are also asked to offer information and advice in the form of clear security messages, and to warn children not to disclose contact details such as their phone numbers and home addresses.

Finally, the guidelines require chat room operators to provide ways for children to report problems on-line, and to adopt security measures such as virtual "panic buttons." The guidelines are intended to be used alongside any mandatory requirements.

The "safer surfing" advertising campaign, on the other hand, encourages parents to make sure their children understand the dangers of communicating with strangers on-line.

According to the Home Office, the campaign aims to help parents provide their children with the skills and confidence required to avoid the dangers posed by paedophiles "without demonising the internet." The campaign will feature television, radio and internet messages and will run throughout January.

Home Office Minister Hilary Benn said:

"We want to encourage parents to help their children protect themselves so that they can surf safely... The massages to children are clear: do not give out personal contact details on-line, and never meet up with someone you have met on-line unless accompanied by an adult."

The Government in November 2002 published a review of the Sex Offender Act, including a proposal that makes it an offence to use the internet with the intention to contact and abuse children. A bill amending the Act will be published later in 2003.

Information and advice on child internet safety are available from:
www.wiseuptothenet.co.uk/htmlversion.htm