1. ITU’s Child Online Protection (COP) Initiative 17-18 June 2010, London, United Kingdom Cristina Bueti Programme Coordinator Telecommunication and Standardization Bureau [email_address]
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3. TUNIS COMMITMENT “ We recognize the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the protection of children and in enhancing the development of children. We will strengthen action to protect children from abuse and defend their rights in the context of ICT.”
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6. How many children are using the Internet? Source: ITU. Note: 2008 or latest available year.
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19. “ Children everywhere have the right to a safe environment, even in the cyberworld. Because while the connection might be virtual, the danger is real.” Dr Hamadoun I. Touré, ITU Secretary-General "I welcome the ITU's Child Online Protection Initiative and I urge all States to support it." Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General
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21. Thank you for your attention! Contact us: cop@itu.int
Editor's Notes
I am pleased to update you on the Child Online Protection Initiative.
The WSIS outcomes also specifically recognized the needs of children and young people and their protection in cyberspace. The Tunis Commitment recognized "the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the protection of children and in enhancing the development of children" and the need to "strengthen action to protect children from abuse and defend their rights in the context of ICT". Children are our future. This universal fact, coupled with young people’s particular vulnerability in an online environment, made a specialized child focused initiative a necessity. The Child Online Protection (COP) is located within the framework of the larger ITU Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA). The legal, technical and institutional challenges posed by the issue of cybersecurity are global and far-reaching and can only be addressed through a coherent strategy taking into account the role of different stakeholders and existing initiatives, within a framework of an international collaborative network. The COP initiative is in line with ITU ’ s mandate to establish the foundation for a safe and secure cyberworld for future generations.
Our campaign is enhanced this year through the celebration of WTISD. The theme for 2009, as you know, was “Protecting Children in Cyberspace” and this year SG has invited Ministers from all Member States to launch year long campaigns on this theme. We have transmitted a call for action: calling upon all stakeholders (policy makers, regulators, operators and industry) to promote the adoption of policies and strategies that will protect children in cyberspace and promote their safe access to online resources . Create public awareness on the issues related to protecting children in cyberspace and to identify policies, best practices, tools and resources for adaptation/use in their countries. - promote ongoing work aimed at developing Guidelines on protecting children online for policy makers and regulators. - Identify risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace as the Internet and other online resources continue to expand. - Build resource repositories for common use - Promote capacity building aimed at strengthening global response in protecting children as they venture into cyberspace.
The COP initiative was presented on 13 November 2008 at the ITU Council’s High Level Segment, with top ministers attending from around the world. COP is a global initiative created by ITU together with other UN agencies and partners, as part of the Global Cybersecurity Agenda, which aims to tackle cybersecurity holistically. The key objectives of the initiative are to: Identify risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace; Create awareness; Develop practical tools to help minimize risk; Share knowledge and experience.
ITU data show that young people are currently the main users of the Internet, especially the age group 15-24. In some countries (especially in the developed world), more children under 15 are online compared to the total population. In Switzerland, for example, there are more children in the age group under 15 online than those in the age group 15-24.
So why is there a need for such an initiative? Computers have brought untold benefits to children around the world, with the number of connected households increasing each year. But while the potential for good is undisputed, it has also raised new and disturbing issues, especially where children are concerned. Just look at the numbers: In 1998, there were just 182 million people using the Internet globally By early 2009, there were over 1.5 billion Internet users worldwide According to surveys: Most of children are willing to share personal information about themselves and their family in exchange for goods and services children are increasingly being targeted by online predators. What are the online risks? Pornography While filtering programs and parental controls are getting better, many children around the world are still at risk of viewing images that they aren’t mature enough to understand or appreciate. Violence While aggression is an unfortunate part of life, the sheer range and volume of online violence is something most of us don’t want our children exposed to: images of war, domestic abuse, bigotry, misogyny and other vicious attacks on others. Online Gaming & Addiction There is a growing body of evidence that many children are developing an unhealthy addiction to spending time online. Often, this addiction takes the form of internet gaming, but essentially any online activity can become addictive. The dangers of such an addiction are an increased risk of health and social problems. Online Fraud Many fraudsters like to specifically target children, as young people often don’t hae the experience and knowledge to distinguish legitimate requests from fraudulent ones. Fraudsters can use knowledge gained from children online to steal, blackmail, terrorize and even kidnap. Cyber-bullying With the invention of the Internet and mobile technology, children today are open to bullying and intimidation wherever they are – it’s no longer merely a playground event. Surfing the internet can have severe consequences for a child’s self-confidence and personal development. Racism The Internet has given us instantaneous global access. While this can promote greater communication, understanding and respect; in some cases, this global reach makes it easier to spread racial abuse and hate.
ITU has been working with some COP members to develop initial sets of guidelines for the different stakeholders. This is a unique exercise that no one before was able achieved. Having so many stakeholders working together on the production of guidelines and reaching an agreement on the main issues surrounding child online protection. We hope that you will find them useful and that you will use them in your country.
This report considers the measurement aspects of child online protection, with the ultimate aim of reliably measuring the problem and monitoring the solutions. Content and structure of this publication Chapter 2 describes a proposed statistical framework for measuring child online protection. It covers scope, actors ( e.g. children, parents), definitions, classifications, indicators and data collection models. Chapter 3 looks at measuring the context in which online threats to children arise. An important element of the context is the Internet and the rapid growth in its content and use. Chapters 4, 5 and 6 consider measurement of aspects of the statistical framework as follows: awareness, concerns and attitudes; risk-prone behaviour of children; incidents and children’s responses; and, preventative actions. The chapters include recommendations for indicators and measurement approaches. Chapter 7 looks at the statistical challenges involved in measuring child online protection, while Chapter 8 presents conclusions and summarizes the recommendations presented in the report.
ITU is lobbying telecommunications administrations around the world to consider the allocation of the number 116111 to give access to helplines run by organizations dedicated to the support and welfare of children. The universal use of this number would make it easier for children to access help when they need it, wherever they are.
ITU is lobbying telecommunications administrations around the world to consider the allocation of the number 116111 to give access to helplines run by organizations dedicated to the support and welfare of children. The universal use of this number would make it easier for children to access help when they need it, wherever they are.
As the ITU SG has said: Children everywhere have the right to a safe environment, even in the cyberworld. Because while the connection might be virtual, the danger is real.” If I can also quote Her Majesty Queen Sylvia of Sweden, Patron of the WTISD 2009: “ We must work together like never before if we are to protect our children. In cyberspace, we really are only as strong as our weakest link; we are only as secure as our weakest hub. There's an old Swedish proverb that goes like this: "Fear less, hope more - Whine less, breathe more - Talk less, say more - Hate less, love more - And all good things are yours.“
For more information, please visit the websites shown on the screen
Or contact us at cop@ itu.int Thank you very much for your attention.
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