MEP Miriam Dalli calls for strengthening of online safety rules

Online safety should be strengthened, especially with regards to children, Labour MEP Miriam Dalli said.

“It must be strengthened through voluntary initaitives from the ICT sector,” Dalli told the ICT Coalition conference in Brussels, where representatives of major ICT companies such as Facebook, Google and Twitter attended. “However, if such action is not taken or if results are not forthcoming, the implementation of more laws would be necessary, even on a European level.”

“The internet is a venue of positive opportunities for our children, a tool which can lead them to access knowledge, communicate, develop their skills and improve their future job prospects and employability,” Dalli said. “However research shows that as many as 38 % of 9-12 year-olds in Europe who use the internet said that they have a personal profile on a social networking site while only 56 % of 11-12 year-olds say they know how to change their privacy settings.”

She added that education in online safety must start in early childhood.

“We need to advise children and young adults on how to use tools that are age appropriate that would help them act safely and responsibly online.,” Dalli said. “Parents need to discuss web-related issues openly with their children before resorting to imposition. The first thing that children need to learn is that what they share online will stay there forever and can haunt them in years to come.”

 “There is much more that we can do; industry especially can do much more. Parental controls, content rating and reporting of harmful content can be further developed. I would say that the general aim is to establish a framework for achieving tangible results. As a new parent myself I also look forward to harsher penalties against those who take advantage of our kids when they are online.”

 “This is a noble cause that transcends any differences we might have, it also transcends financial gain.”