Research: Byron Report
27 March 2008 - Byron Review Published
Dr Tanya Byron's Review into computer video games and the internet has been released today. The report, which was commissioned by the Government 6 months ago, concludes that a more robust ratings system is needed for video games aimed at over-12s to allow young people and parents to make a better informed decision about the suitability of a video game's themes and actions.
Dr Byron also proposes new codes of practice to regulate social networking sites, such as Bebo and Facebook, including clear standards on privacy and harmful content.The report also calls for a national council to implement the strategy, with a fixed timetable for industry experts; a parents' panel and child development experts to implement her recommendations. The Government has stated that it is committed to implementing all the recommendations in full.
NetIDme Director of Corporate Relations, John Carr, commented:
We welcome the Byron Review's report, published today, on children's safety in the digital world. In particular we welcome the fact that she has pointed to the potential of age verification to contribute to child safety and has called on the proposed new UK Council on Child Internet Safety to keep developments and research in that area under review. As a company we will be delighted to work with the Council to demonstrate the huge advantages of age verification software.
Among the recommendations in the Byron report are:
— the creation of a UK Council on Child Internet Safety, chaired by the Home Office and the Department for Children, Skills and Families
— the establishment of voluntary codes of practice for user-generated content sites such as YouTube, including making such sites commit to take down inappropriate content within a given time
— "clarification" of the law around certain types of harmful content, including so-called 'suicide websites' which encourage young people to take their own lives
— an obligation for search engines such as Google to indicate what level of search (eg. safe or moderate) is active at any time, and to display information on safe search settings prominently on their home page
— new measures for the computer industry forcing manufacturers to sell machines with Kitemarked parental control software pre-installed
—new rules for internet service providers forcing them to give guidance to parents on how to activate such software when they are setting up their internet connection
The report also called for a "properly funded" public information and awareness campaign focusing on child internet safety, and the introduction of more comprehensive internet safety training in schools