Memorandum by the Child Exploitation and
Online Protection Centre
INTRODUCTION
Further to its publication on Personal Internet
Security in August 2007, The House of Lords Select Committee (Science
and Technology), has invited comments on the Government's response
to that report (published by the Home Office in October 2007).
In doing so, this reply will consider the primary issues pertaining
to the online risks posed to children and adults.
COMMENT ON
THE INCREASED
USE OF
THE INTERNET
The expansion in the use of the Internet has
brought about many positives to young people and their parents,
both from an educational and business perspective as well as social
interaction through Social Networking sites, instant messaging,
gaming and with the increase in the internet and mobile phone
convergence, young people are presented with an ever increasing
diverse opportunity to learn, explore, to meet new people and
have fun. This capacity for interaction between young people throughout
the world will continue to increase as technology progresses.
There is a digital knowledge gap between parents and children
and this could go some way to explain some of the concerns over
safety on the internet.
In general terms, the Government felt that the
report implied that there was a "loss of public confidence
in the use of the internet" and that "lawlessness was
rife." Whilst the report from the House of Lords did not
explicitly state this, the report is in danger of drawing conclusions
about the extent of crime that is committed on the internet and
the level of anxiety from members of the public that are not supported
by facts and figures. Whilst the report acknowledges the lack
of research and data collection of risks and the types of crimes
committed, conclusions must not be drawn without supporting evidence.
The internet is a fabulous tool, the use of
which will only continue to expand and I welcome the Government's
acknowledgement of the importance of ensuring personal security
against the risks posed to users on the internet. I am in agreement
with the Government in that it is not only the responsibility
of the individual to take steps to ensure their safety. There
must be a multi-faceted approach between government, educators,
law enforcement, industry and child protection experts to ensure
the personal security of any user of the internet; it is not the
sole responsibility of any one of those groups. Education is one
of the key factors to empowering children and adults to learn
about potential dangers and to know what to do if they have concerns.
Whilst the Get Safe Online initiative includes advice on fraud
and the protection of personal details, CEOP's "thinkuknow"
education campaign, has developed a series of specific programmes
for five to seven year olds, eight to eleven year olds and twelve
to seventeen year olds. There is also specific advice for parents.
The provision of advice in a way that engages not only children
but their parents is vital.
I also support the Government's view that the
use of the internet as a tool for committing crime must be taken
seriously, and that it is important for users to have confidence
in their security on the internet. I appreciate that the Government
does not want to "impose additional burdens on business",
but feel it is important that those who are in the business of
providing internet services and hosting services must continue
to work more closely together as part of this multi-faceted approach,
with Government and law enforcement to identify steps to increase
safety online. To an extent this is already happening and there
are some excellent examples of this approach in the partnership
work undertaken at CEOP. Industry should put children's welfare
at the heart of their products and services whilst making future
developments in technology possible.
Within the current framework of self-regulation,
CEOP is/should be working in partnership with industry to provide
knowledge and insight of how their services are being misused
and as an instrument of crime. When this is combined with industry's
technical skills and user engagement expertise they can take this
insight drawn from law enforcement into practical business-driven
solutions aimed at minimising the risks and harm to children and
developing confidence in their brands from parents, carers, educators
and the children themselves.
CEOP endorses the majority of comments made
by the Government in responding to the report on Personal Internet
Security and the emphasis that is placed on the close working
collaboration of interested parties, including industry, government,
law enforcement and academia. Further to this, it wishes the Committee
to note the following points:
— We endorse the view that there need
to be improvements in how data is collected in relation to e-crime.
However, we feel that experts involved in such data collection
must include law enforcement and prosecuting bodies. We agree
with the Government that data collection should be in reference
to the type of offences that can be committed but should include
information into how the internet is used as a tool to commit
crime. The remit of this proposed group would also need clarification
as to what the purpose of such data collection would be.
— We support the Government's view
that there is a need for interested parties to have clear focus
for the need for personal safety. Whilst the report's recommendation
(no.4) states that there is a need for the Government to develop
a more holistic understanding of the responsibility for personal
security, we believe this is one recommendation that should be
directed to all interested stakeholders. All parties need to be
more open minded to make personal safety a priority.
15 April 2008
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