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27 Mar 2008
A six-month study into online child safety has recommended new regulations to minimise the risk from computer use.
The Byron Review into Children and New Technology has proposed the creation of a new agency, the UK Council for Child Internet Safety, that will report directly to the prime minister.
The review also recommends reforming and extending current games ratings standards, and improving the control of user-generated content to ensure that some material never gets online.
"The internet and video games are very much a part of growing up and offer unprecedented opportunities to learn, develop and have fun. But with new opportunities come potential risks," said Dr Tanya Byron, a clinical psychologist who prepared the report.
"My recommendations will help children and young people make the most of digital and interactive technologies, while enabling them and their parents to navigate all these new media waters safely.
"They will also have the knowledge that more is being done by government and the internet and video game industries to help and support them."
Education will play a key role in the recommendations. Children need to be educated about online risks, and parents need to be informed about available monitoring software.
Video games ratings will be brought closer to film ratings to make them easier to understand. How and where games can be advertised is also to be examined.
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Do you agree?
Unnecessary - A waste of money.
Another unecessary study into a problem with an incredibly simple solution. Its important to remember that the internet _is_ user generated content and no amount restriction will be tolerated - nor can it be efficiently enforced. The real issue here, once again, is the involvement of parenting in a childs life and activities. Be this restrictions to internet use, supervision, or encouragement of more stimulating activities. This is not a government issue, it is a parenting issue. Think of any technology related incident that can happen to child, and then imagine the same scenario with supervision.
Posted by: Angus McIntyre 27 Mar 2008
byron review
I have just read the review online and it is worth reading it and not just reacting to the media headlines. i found it balanced and intelligent.
Posted by: monkey 27 Mar 2008
Cyber-Bullying
While inappropriate material and outside contact are causes for concern, Cyber-bullying amongst youngsters is the stand out issue. Young people need a solution to report, handle and prevent bullying from occurring. The government needs to address this issue as quickly as possible. Beatbullying is working with the industry to deliver the Cybermentors programme - an adaptation of Beatbullying?s proven prevention model, which will train young people as Cybermentors to help and support other young people who are victims of bullying via online platforms. Young people can then take responsibility for bullying and have the power to take action but the government needs to support and invest in the solution that is Cybermentors. Tony Holmes, Beatbullying
Posted by: Tony Holmes - Beatbullying 27 Mar 2008