Protection of children using the Internet and other communication technologies. Safer Internet programme 2009-2013

PURPOSE: to establish a multiannual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies (Safer Internet Programme).

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 1351/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a multiannual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies.

CONTENT: following an agreement reached with the Parliament at first reading, this Decision establishes a Community programme to promote safer use of the Internet and other communication technologies, particularly for children, and to combat illegal content and harmful conduct online.

To achieve that objective, the programme will focus on practical help for final users. The programme involves four lines of action and defines the activities to be carried out under each of those lines of action:

(1) Ensuring public awareness: the activities will aim to increase public awareness, in particular among children, parents, carers, teachers and educators, about opportunities and risks related to the use of online technologies, and means of staying safe online. They will also address the opportunities and risks of services using new distribution platforms, such as audiovisual services using mobile phone networks. Where appropriate, information packs will be made available in multilingual versions.

(2) Fighting against illegal content and harmful conduct online: the activities will aim to reduce the amount of illegal content circulated online and deal adequately with harmful conduct online, with particular focus on online distribution of child sexual abuse material, grooming and cyber-bullying.

(3) Promoting a safer online environment: the activities will aim to bring together stakeholders so as to promote a safer online environment and protect children from harmful content.

(4) Establishing a knowledge base: the activities will aim to establish a knowledge base for dealing adequately with existing and emerging uses of the online environment and relevant risks and consequences, with a view to designing adequate actions aimed at ensuring online safety for all users. The contents of this knowledge base will be shared with stakeholders and disseminated across Member States.

The Commission shall, by 24 June 2011, report on the implementation of the action lines.

The Programme shall cover a period of five years from 1 January 2009 and the financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme shall be EUR 55 million.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 24/12/2008.