The Internet is an invaluable resource but sadly, like any technology, it is not immune to abuse. In the virtual world, as in the real one, children and young people are particularly vulnerable. However, the potential risks can be managed and children and young people can surf the web safely if they, and their parents/carers, take sensible precautions.
To help raise awareness of personal safety issues, the then Scottish Executive launched a campaign in December 2004 to urge parents and carers to ensure that their children are using the internet safely.
Radio and online advertising leaflets and a website offer parental advice on the safer use of the internet. Parents and carers have a key role to play in keeping their children safe and the campaign also provides a range of advice to them. This includes guidance on setting up filtering and monitoring systems on their children's computers and 'jargon busters' to help them to talk to their children more effectively about the internet.
This is the fifth consecutive year that the Scottish Government has run an internet safety campaign.
The following are links to websites which provide advice on safe use of the internet:
We have also recently updated guidance for schools and education authorities on the safe use of the internet.
The Byron Review
Scottish Ministers are working with the UK Government in responding to the recommendations made by Dr Tanya Byron following her review looking at the risks to children from exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the internet and in video games, published in March of this year.
The UK Government's action plan responding to the recommendations was published on 24 June and is available at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/byronreview/actionplan/index.shtml
One of the recommendations included in the report relates to the development of a UK Council for Child Internet Safety. The Council would consist of representation from all of the devolved administrations within the UK and would provide a forum enabling Government Departments and stakeholders to make a significant contribution to the development and delivery of a comprehensive strategy focussing on internet safety. The Scottish Government is playing an active role in progressing this work.
As part of this work, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently undertaking a consultation exercise focussing on video games classification. The Scottish Government will review the findings of the exercise with interest and are committed to ensuring that any policy delivered in respect of video games classification reflects the findings of this exercise.