Internet Safety Strategy Announced

Today the Government has published a consultation that will help shape the UK’s strategies around online safety. In a press release today the government introduces the green paper and its ideas you can find below. 

Announced today, the Internet Safety Strategy Green Paper looks at how we can ensure Britain is the safest place in the world to be online. The Strategy considers the responsibilities of companies to their users, the use of technical solutions to prevent online harms and government’s role in supporting users. The stratergy proposes: 

• A new social media code of practice to see a joined-up approach to remove or address bullying, intimidating or humiliating online content
• An industry-wide levy so social media companies and communication service providers contribute to raise awareness and counter internet harms​
• An annual internet safety transparency report to show progress on addressing abusive and harmful content and conduct
• And support for tech and digital startups to think safety first - ensuring that necessary safety features are built into apps and products from the very start

Today’s is the first generation of children who are learning about relationships and sex in an online world. So the Strategy also outlines the crucial role that education will play in raising online safety awareness, with a particular focus on children and parents. 

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley said:

"The Internet has been an amazing force for good, but it has caused undeniable suffering and can be an especially harmful place for children and vulnerable people..

Behaviour that is unacceptable in real life is unacceptable on a computer screen. We need an approach to the Internet that protects everyone without restricting growth and innovation in the digital economy."

You can find the full report here