The Protection of Children Online ITU Council WG on Child Online Protection 7 October 2011 Laurent Bernat laurent.bernat@oecd.org
OECD Mission Promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Forum, place for dialogue and sharing of experience Seeking solutions to common problems Measure, compare, analyse data Understand economic and social changes Help governments to develop better policies in many areas
OECD Structure Council … ICCP … Information, Computer & Communications Policy WPISP WPIE WPCISP WPIIS Information Security and Privacy Communication Infrastructures and Services Policy Information Economy Indicators for the Information Society
WP on Information Security & Privacy 1980 Guidelines for the Protection of Privacy Cross-Border Co-operation for Enforcement of Privacy Laws The value of personal data (current) 2002 Guidelines for the Security of Information Systems and Networks: Towards a Culture of Security E-authentication, Digital Identity Management Policies for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructures Malware Cybersecurity Strategies (current) ISPs and Botnets (current) Cloud Computing (current) Other: RFID, Spam, Cryptography Policy, etc.
Global Partners Candidate to accession (and observer): Russia Observers India, South Africa, Egypt, Latvia, Singapore Council of Europe International Conference of Data Protection & Privacy Commissioners Strong co-operation with APEC Stakeholders Business and Industry (BIAC) Civil Society (CSISAC) Internet Technical Community (ITAC) Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) 34 member countries Australia Austria Belgium Canada Czech Republic Chile Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Japan Japan Korea Luxembourg Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Slovak republic Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom United States + European Union
Seoul Ministerial Meeting June 2008 – 40 Ministers Declaration on « The Future of the Internet Economy » calls for A collaborative effort by governments, the private sector, civil society and the Internet technical community to build a common understanding of the impact of the Internet on minors and to enhance their protection and support when using the Internet. Increased cross-border co-operation on the protection of minors by governments and enforcement authorities
Overview of the work Seoul Ministerial Declaration 2009 APEC – OECD Symposium (Singapore) 2010 - 2011 Report on « The protection of children online: risks faced by children online and policies to protect them » www.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/the-protection-of-children-online_5kgcjf71pl28-en 2011 – Draft Council Recommendation
Scope Very rich area Scope Snapshot of an evolving landscape Includes children (minors) as users of the Internet Does not include offline risks, child sexual abuse Snapshot of an evolving landscape
Overview Report Data Risks Policies Draft Recommendation
Children & the Internet Internet access is on the rise for children US home Internet access for 8-18: 47% in 1999 to 84% in 2009 EU teenagers using Internet: 70% in 2005, 75% in 2008 A high percentage of older children have Internet access Teenagers with access to the Internet : 99% in UK, 93% in US, >90% in Japan, 75% average in EU
Children & the Internet Internet use increases with age Children's Internet use by age in the European Union Source: Eurobarometer
Children & the Internet Children start to use the Internet younger Children’s first use of the Internet: 13 in 2000 to 4 in 2009 (Sweden) Children spend more time on the Internet than before UK: 7.1 h/week in 2005, 13.8h/week in 2007 Children use the Internet mostly at home
Children have a multitude of online activities Children’s use of the Internet by age group in the United Kingdom (2007) Source: Ofcom, 2007, p. 19.
Devices to access the Internet are diversifying Percentage of children owning a mobile phone with Internet access in Japan and the EU , 2008 Source: Japanese delegation to the OECD and Eurobarometer 2008 (EU27).
Risks
About data on risks A large quantity of data is available. Ex :441 European studies The number of studies varies across countries and regions The availability varies depending on the risk Small amount of Data Larger amount of Data Illegal interaction Harmful Advice Online marketing Fraudulent transactions Information security risks Privacy risks related to location information Exposure to inappropriate content (mainly on adult pornography) Cyberbullying Cybergrooming
Exposed to sexual content Has given out personal information About data on risks Studies become obsolete rapidly Few recurrent studies Researches focus on teenagers Mobile Internet not considered Comparability is a challenge No consensus on the definition of risks Age groups are not standard Exposed to sexual content Has given out personal information Age group considered UK 57% 46% 9-19 Italy 25% - 7-11 Ireland 79% 10-20 Belgium Up to 40% 13% 9-12
Positive content provision Policies Multilayered National Policy Mix Legal measures Co & self- regulation Technical measures Awareness & education Positive content provision
Policies Multistakeholder Governments and public authorities Children Parents and caregivers Educators and public institutions Private sector
Policies Multi-level National and International level APEC, Council of Europe, ITU, IGF, OECD, UNICEF Policy and operational E.g. INHOPE, INSAFE
Managing Policy Complexity Co-ordination within the government, with stakeholders, at international level To promote mutually reinforcing policy measures To increase visibility of actions By identifying leadership within the government Through inclusive and sustainable platforms for information exchange and co-ordination Consistency Consolidating definitions and instruments Maximising protection, preserving benefits With economic and social dimensions of the Internet, including fundamental values Objective : Mutually reinforcing policy action
Measurement Measurement of risks Policy impact assessments Input for evidence-based policy/ national priority setting Systematic and quantitative data surveys Harmonisation of methodologies and definitions (national/ international level) Policy impact assessments Enhancing the precision of policy making Come to terms with conflicting policy objective Performance evaluation Public/ private sector initiatives
Draft Recommendation Broad scope, all risk categories: General approach rather than risk-specific Includes all stakeholders Two facets: making the Internet more secure, empowering children Shared responsibility, primary role of parents
Draft Recommendation Proportionality & fundamental values Maximising protection without limiting benefits Protecting without disrupting openess Fundamental values Flexibility: age appropriateness, technology neutrality) Policy mix Foster public-private dialogue International co-operation