Presentation to Irish Sports Council's Code of Ethics Information Day, 26 March 2011 Using the Internet and Associated Communications Tools and Keeping Children and Young People Safe John Laffan Executive Director Office for Internet Safety Dept. of Justice, Equality & Law Reform

 An Executive Office of the Dept. of Justice.  Established by Government to take a lead responsibility in ….relation to internet safety in Ireland.  Replaced the former Internet Advisory Board.  Aims to build linkages and cohesion between all Departments ….and Agencies to ensure the safest possible internet ….environment in Ireland. What is the Office for Internet Safety?

 Office became operational in March  OIS is coordinator/managing authority for Irish Safer Internet ….Project under the EU Safer Internet Programme (which ….provides financial support to the hotline and the NCTE’s ….internet safety activities). What is the Office for Internet Safety?

Mandate/What We Do 1.The Promotion of Internet Safety, particularly in relation to combating child pornography;

2.Oversight of the Internet Hotline ( – the system for dealing with reports of illegal content on the internet; Mandate/What We Do

1.The Promotion of Internet Safety, particularly in relation to combating child pornography; 2.Oversight of the Internet Hotline ( – the system for dealing with reports of illegal content on the internet; 3.Development of Internet Safety Awareness Campaigns; Mandate/What We Do

Hotline for Reporting Illegal Internet Content (  Funded by Internet Service Provider Association of Ireland ( and EU Safer Internet Programme.  Hotline provides a central contact point for members of the public to anonymously report child pornography or other illegal content that they have encountered on the Internet.

 Hotline accepts reports of such material and will seek to identify the source. If the material is hosted in Ireland, it will request the relevant ISP to remove it in accordance with the Code of Practice & Ethics. Special protocols operate between the Hotline and the police to maximise co-operation on law enforcement issues so that offences in the area of child pornography can be detected and prosecuted. Hotline for Reporting Illegal Internet Content (

The Internet and Mobile Phones are incredibly valuable resources which we all rely on, but there are associated risks, particularly for children and young people.

Internet - Risks  Bullying via the Internet  Cyberstalking/Cybergrooming  Inappropriate content – adult material, inappropriate ….commercial content  Violent or racist content

Internet - Risks Get With IT! – A parents’ guide to filtering technologies

Internet - Risks Get With IT! – A parents’ guide to social networking websites

Internet - Risks Get With IT! – A guide to cyberbullying

Mobile Phones - Risks Similar in many ways to risks associated with the Internet  Mobile use is usually private and unsupervised  Mobiles are largely ubiquitous  Mobile operators are currently the primary gatekeepers …..to the Internet for phones - it might be noted that all Irish …..mobile phone operators have in place filters to prevent …..access to illegal child pornography on mobile internet.

Mobile Phones - Risks  Mobile phones now with camera and video capability ….and internet access - images can be instantly recorded ….and immediately uploaded to social networking sites ….(e.g. Facebook, Bebo) or video sharing sites ….(e.g. YouTube)  Bullying via mobile phone  Irish Cellular Industry Association has produced a very useful “Parents’ Guide to Mobile Phones"

What are the risks to Children and Young People? Inappropriate or Harmful Content:  Pornography  Some interactive services, e.g. chatrooms, etc.  Music and videos with adult content  Spam (i.e. unwanted, often commercial, )  Games with violent or sexual content

What are the risks to Children and Young People?  Gambling  Some premium rate services

What are the risks to Children and Young People?  Gambling  Some premium rate services Other Issues:  Privacy  Financial pressure  Financial scams

International Research shows Irish children generally in a good position in respect of Internet Safety  EU Kids Online Research [surveyed 1000 parents and children (9 top 16 yr olds) in all EU Member States] found:  Children in Ireland among the most responsible users of the internet  53% of children use internet daily  91% of parents mediate children’s internet use in some way (above EU av 87%)  72% of Irish parents stay close or watch children using internet  87% of Irish children use internet in a public room in the home, significantly above EU avg 62% More information:

Issues particular to Sports Council and its affiliated organisations?  Individual Club Websites  Means by which clubs communicate with their members Individual Club Websites:  Need to ensure website is managed carefully – keep close eye on any links (cases have arisen where links have been redirected to inappropriate material)  If site has a discussion board facility need to ensure care in relation to moderation of comments – moderation particularly desirable where minors are concerned

Issues particular to Sports Council and its affiliated organisations? Means by which clubs communicate with their members  Texting service – would be preferable to ensure that parental consent is obtained where children and young people are being contacted directly by adults – perhaps consider texting a parent or guardian instead of or in addition to texting a junior member.  Group on a social network site, e.g. Facebook, Bebo. BUT needs careful consideration. Should be noted that under 13s strictly speaking not “entitled” to membership of many social networking sites.

EU Safer Internet Day February each year What is Safer Internet Day?  Safer Internet Day is organised by Insafe each year in February to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world.  New technologies has turned all of us, particularly young people, into publishers online of information, pictures and videos. While this brings new opportunities for personal expression and creativity, this can also lead to embarrassing or even traumatic situations. E.g. photos once posted online, remain online, and can be seen by anybody, even years after they have been posted.  Therefore children and young people need to manage their online identity in a responsible and safe way.

Useful Resources  – Office for Internet Safety website – lots of useful information and resources including comprehensive listings of useful domestic and international links.  – the Irish internet safety awareness node – particularly useful for parents and younger children. Also  – lots of useful information about how to manage your online identity, e.g. on social networking sites, in a responsible and safe way.  – for reporting suspected illegal content  – where children and young people can report if they encounter material on the internet that they find distressing  – EU-wide resource (with specific Irish section) targeting families and internet safety (sponsored by UPC).