Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2013
22. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action her Department will take to help young people counter the effects of websites that encourage harmful and unhealthy behaviour, such as promoting anorexia and bulimia and other eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21836/13]
View answerWhile the internet undoubtedly presents fantastic opportunities for children, it is equally clear that there is a real opportunity for children to be put at risk by their exposure to material and/or individuals which may be harmful. With the rapid evolution of internet technology, through internet on mobile phones and camera phones, parents need to understand that access to the internet is becoming increasingly diverse and therefore increasingly difficult to supervise.
The Office for Internet Safety (OIS) which was established in March 2008 as an Executive Office of the Department of Justice and Equality has primary responsibility for the development and promotion of strategic actions to promote the highest possible levels of internet safety, particularly in relation to combating child pornography. The Office for Internet Safety plays a key role in ensuring a cohesive approach is being taken across Government Departments, State Agencies and other key stakeholders in addressing illegal content on the internet.
The OIS has established a service accessible at www.hotline.ie where people can report sites if they have concerns that content may be illegal. All reports received are assessed and where content is found to be illegal action is taken. This is an anonymous service and you do not have to give your name or any personal information.
The Safer Internet Ireland Project is a consortium of industry, education, child welfare and government partners that acts as a Safer Internet Centre in Ireland providing awareness, hotline and helpline functions and activities in the Republic of Ireland. The project, coordinated by the OIS aims to develop national initiatives promoting the safer use of electronic media and enhance protection of the vulnerable, particularly children, against the downside of the Internet. The project develops materials and programmes of awareness to ensure that children, teachers and parents understand the benefits and risks of the Internet.
The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE), has primary responsibility for the development of material and programmes of awareness to ensure children, teachers and parents understand the benefits and risks of the internet, through initiatives such as www.webwise.ie
There are some simple practical steps parents can take to help limit the risks as well as clear advice they can give their children. The best way of doing this is for parents to get involved and understand how their children use the internet. Developing your knowledge of the technology involved and understanding how your child uses this technology to interact with others on the Internet will greatly assist parents in guiding and supporting their children to ensure that they are using it in the safest possible manner.
