Given the multi-faceted nature of the challenge facing parents, schools and regulators, the Coalition Online Safety Working Group will consult with key technology, education and cyber-safety leaders, parents and young people, as well as other interested parties, to further develop its online safety policy in the areas of education, regulation and enforcement.

 

The children and teenagers of today are the first generation of young people that will grow up with the internet and social media as an integral part of the way they live, learn and communicate. It is estimated that 2.2 million Australian children actively engage online.

 

As with any new frontier, there are opportunities and dangers.

 

In a relatively short period of time, the internet has transformed our way of life. However, there are also risks, and children are particularly vulnerable.

 

These risks include children being exposed to illegal or inappropriate content and the increasing use of social media as a forum for online bullying.

 

Parents want their children to be safe. Many parents find they are ill-equipped to protect their children from the pitfalls of the internet and from the risks of social media. Some parents feel out of their depth dealing with the pace of technological change.

 

Today’s online environment extends well beyond accessing websites and email through the family desktop computer. It also includes a range of interactive activities like social networking sites, SMS messaging, Skype, apps and games. 

 

It is also becoming far more accessible with children and young people connecting with each other through computers (in homes, schools and libraries), game consoles and mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers.

 

The Coalition does not seek to repeat Labor’s ham-fisted attempt to put a filter on the internet or to hinder the dynamic nature of the online environment, but we do want to assist and equip parents and teachers in their work of protecting our children and preparing them for adulthood.

 

This is about protecting cyber-privacy. It’s not about trying to enforce cyber-censorship.

 

The Working Group will be chaired by the Member for Bradfield, Paul Fletcher MP. Paul Fletcher has a long history dealing with telecommunication issues in government and as a senior executive in the private sector. 

 

He will be joined on the Working Group by Senator Gary Humphries (Senator for Australian Capital Territory), Alex Hawke (Member for Mitchell), Natasha Griggs (Member for Solomon), Wyatt Roy (Member for Longman), Patrick Secker (Member for Barker), Senator Stephen Parry (Senator for Tasmania), Senator Bridget McKenzie (Senator for Victoria) and Luke Simpkins (Member for Cowan). 

 

The Working Group will also work closely with Shadow Ministers with portfolio responsibility for online safety, particularly the Shadow Ministers for Education and Communications.

 

Over coming months, the Working Group will undertake roundtables and community forums across Australia as well as a series of events online. 

 

The Online Safety Working group will report back to me by mid 2012.

 

 

Click here to view the Terms of Reference

 

 

27 January 2012