Government issues Net safety guidelines
Government issues Net safety guidelines
The federal government has introduced a website designed to protect children from offensive online material, and provide parents, teachers and the wider community with access to extensive information on safe Internet surfing.
According to a statement issued by Daryl Williams, Minister for Communications, IT and the Arts, the NetAlert website has been redeveloped to focuses on protecting Internet users, particularly children, from the potential risks in using the Internet, while encouraging them to take advantage of the benefits of going online.
The site also contains specific information for industry. It is expected to be a valuable resource in informing and educating Internet service providers and Internet content hosts of their obligations and responsibilities under the online content co-regulatory scheme.
The launch of the new NetAlert website will complement a range of measures put in place by the Australian Government to protect users and encourage safe Internet practices.
These include the complaints mechanism administered by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) and the recently launched Net Detectives initiative to educate school children about chat room safety.
NetAlert was established as an independent body under the Australian Government's online content regulatory scheme in December 1999, and was recently allocated a further $2 million in funding in the 2003-04 federal budget for the next three years.
"NetAlert will, over the next three years, more clearly focus on the protection of children in the online environment and on research into filtering and related technologies. In addition to undertaking community education, advice and research activities on safe Internet use, NetAlert is consulted on Internet industry codes and standards prior to their registration by the ABA," the statement said.
In addition to offering free advice on its website (www.netalert.net.au), NetAlert also operates a toll free Internet safety helpline on 1800 880 176.
Related Article: