Internet safety and security for children and young adults is one of the most urgent and pressing child protection concerns facing policy makers, parents and guardians, teachers and children themselves.
An Open Policy Debate on online safety took place on 8th March. It was led by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment with the support of five other Government Departments including Justice & Equality; Education & Skills; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Health; and Children and Youth Affairs.
Furthermore, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is participating in a cross-Departmental Committee, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, tasked with the preparation of the Action Plan which will contain specific actionable measures, with timelines, to be taken by the relevant Government Departments.
In light of the findings of the Open Policy Debate and the work underway through the cross-Departmental group, it is anticipated that an Action Plan will be published by the end of June 2018.