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Online Safety

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 September 2020

Thursday, 17 September 2020

Ceisteanna (145)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

145. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his views on the annual report by an organisation (details supplied) highlighting the vulnerability of children and young persons online [24668/20]

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Freagraí scríofa

I welcome the recent publication of Cyber Safe Ireland’s fifth annual report, which provides up to date and informative data on online trends and usage among children. The report acknowledges the opportunities provided by digital technology but also highlights some of the risks and vulnerabilities faced by children and young people. It suggests that risks can be minimised by equipping children with the skills and knowledge they need to safely and smartly navigate the online world and by service providers putting proper safeguards in place to protect users. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I am very aware of the risks and opportunities that the online world brings, and I am committed to working with my colleagues in a co-ordinated Government response to address issues arising.

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to the enactment of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill and the establishment of an Online Safety Commissioner.  The general scheme of the OSMR Bill 2019, which has the aim of regulating harmful content and creating a safer environment online, was published by the then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in January 2020. The Bill sets a clear expectation for online platforms to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the users of their service, including children.

The Bill provides for the appointment of an Online Safety Commissioner as part of a wider Media Commission to oversee the new regulatory framework for online safety. Online safety codes will deal with a wide range of issues, including measures to be taken by online services to tackle the availability of harmful online content, for example cyberbullying material and material promoting eating disorders, on their services. The Online Safety Commissioner will also have a role in promoting positive digital citizenship among children and young people, in conjunction with Webwise and other educational partners, schools, as well as the Ombudsman for Children. The Commissioner will also develop a research programme led by internationally recognised experts to review the existing and developing literature in relation to the consequences, benefits and potential harms to society and especially children, of digital activity.

The Action Plan for Online Safety 2018-19, which was launched by the then Taoiseach in July 2018, recognises that online safety is not the responsibility of any one Department and sets out the rage of actions and activities underway across six key Government Departments (Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Education and Skills; Justice and Equality; Children and Youth Affairs; Health and Business, Enterprise and Innovation) to keep children and adults safe online.

Children First operates on the premise that it is the responsibility of everyone in society to keep children and young people safe from harm. This responsibility includes keeping children safe from harm online. As part of the Action Plan, in January 2019 my Department published an addendum to the Children First Guidance to include a specific reference to the need to consider online safety in the preparation of risk assessments and Child Safeguarding Statements. In addition, Tusla has revised its template for the completion of Child Safeguarding Statements to refer to the need to consider online risks to children if a service provides access to the internet.

As part of the government response to Covid-19, in April, my Department launched a range of supports for parents and children to support them during this challenging time. This included a new online gov.ie resource for parents, entitled ‘Parents Centre’, which brings together high quality information and online resources for parents into one portal. Parents Centre provides links to a wide variety of material including around learning, parenting and supports that are available. It includes a link to the Webwise, an initiative of the Department of Education and Skills, which is the key internet safety online access point for parents in Ireland.  As a response to Covid-19, the Webwise Parents Hub has been updated with online safety advice for parents, including around screen time as well as with the publication of ‘A Parent’s Guide for a Better Internet’, covering topics including managing technology use at home, social networking tips and dealing with cyberbullying.

My Department also provides funding to three national youth organisations which provide online safety resources for the youth sector. The National Youth Council of Ireland provides the Web Safety in Youth Work Resource, SpunOut has developed an Online Safety Hub which provides guidelines for young people on online safety and Youth Work Ireland, in conjunction with McAfee Security, has developed a digital safety programme which highlights the risks associated with online activity.

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