Reactions are coming in to today's Byron Review in the UK - the report into children's use of new technology (see our earlier story for the overview of what it means for virtual worlds). The UK's Internet Services Providers' Association has welcomed the review with warm words, although also a slight concern over its implications.
The warm words first. The ISPA thinks Dr Byron “recognises the complexity of the issues”, and broadly welcomes the creation of a UK Council for Child Internet Safety. The organisation is also happy that the Review has placed an emphasis on parents’ role in their children’s use of the internet.
For its part, the ISPA thinks parents should ensure their kids use the internet in a communal room, remind them regularly about online safety rules, know who their children are talking to online, take time to surf with their kids, and make sure they have effective online safety software installed on their computers.
Most of these points apply to virtual worlds - hopefully many parents will be getting a tour of Club Penguin and its rivals in the weeks ahead, if they haven’t already (perhaps this could be a feature built in to such worlds - ‘take your parents on a tour’).
Now the caveats, from Jessica Hendrie-Liaño, chair of the ISPA Council:
“It’s great news that the Byron Review acknowledges the Internet industry’s call for clear ministerial accountability, a coordinated strategy, a commitment to sustainable resourcing and a joined up Government approach for child safety on the Internet. However, ISPA will be seeking further clarification on how the proposed codes will be developed and monitored. The development of the Council and a formal role for Ofcom suggests a shift in Government policy towards a co-regulatory model. ISPA would also like to understand in more detail the Review’s recommendations for codes on “harmful content”, in particular how any code would be developed and how this will benefit users over and above the good practice codes already proposed.”
Hopefully we’ll see some reactions from virtual worlds companies in the days ahead, giving their take on the Review.
0 comments