Gillard follows Coalition lead on cyber bullying – but more comprehensive action is required

“After five years of having no policy in relation to protecting children online, it’s good to see the Government follow the Coalition’s lead with its announcement today of an education module for school children and voluntary protocols involving some social media outlets”, Paul Fletcher, Federal Member for Bradfield and Chairman of the Coalition’s Online Safety Working Group said today.

“But today’s announcement, while welcome, does not go far enough.

  “I call on the Government to adopt every one of the Coalition’s initiatives, like a children’s e-safety commissioner and Rapid Removal Protocols for large social media outlets, because they will make our children safer.  This would require legislation as the Coalition has foreshadowed in our Discussion Paper released last year.    The Coalition would give the Government bipartisan support to make it happen.

“Australian children need a more comprehensive approach from the Government in this area.  Its approach to date has failed Australian children and parents.  The Rudd Gillard Government spent more than five years pursuing the technically unworkable notion of compelling internet service providers to impose mandatory filters.  This misguided approach – formally abandoned only three months ago – diverted attention from the sustained, evidence based approach that is required in this difficult area. 

“By contrast, the Coalition has been working carefully for nearly 12 months to develop a comprehensive approach. 

“In its Discussion Paper on Enhancing Online Safety for Children released in November 2012 by the Coalition’s Online Safety Working Group, we proposed a multifaceted approach to dealing with issues of online safety and cyber bullying.

“A key proposal in this Discussion Paper is for greater support for schools in their work to assist the children in their care to be safe online.  This would involve providing greater support for schools through a stronger online safety component within the National Safe Schools Framework, and assisting with online safety resources for schools.

“The Coalition’s Online Safety Working Group has recommended the appointment of a Children’s e-Safety Commissioner.  One of the Commissioner’s tasks would be to take a more proactive approach to ensuring online safety in schools. 

“These, however, are just some of measures that are needed.  A multi-pronged approach is required. In the Discussion Paper, we also recommend:

• Implementing Rapid Removal protocols with large social media outlets for material that is targeted at and likely to cause harm to an Australian child, through a co-operative regulatory scheme. 
• Assisting parents and carers make informed decisions about devices such as smartphones and tablets, by establishing recognised branding indicating their suitability for younger children and teenagers.
• Undertaking a national public education campaign to highlight online safety issues. 

“These proposals have been developed following a very thorough process of community consultation by the Coalition’s Online Safety Working Group.  We have spoken with parents, teachers, industry representatives – and with lots of children, from 6 and 7 year olds right up to senior high school students.

‘We visited schools across Australia and held a range of community forums and meetings in every state and territory.

“The importance of this issue means that it must be above politics.  The Coalition therefore welcomes the additional initiatives announced today.  However, we call on the Government to take a more comprehensive approach”, Mr Fletcher said.

The Coalition’s Online Safety Working Group Discussion Paper is available at:  http://www.paulfletcher.com.au/media-centre/media-releases/item/831-discussion-paper-on-online-safety-for-children-an-important-milestone-says-fletcher.html