Presentation from the Promoting Respectful Relationships conference. Full details at http://www.respectwales.org.uk

1. The UK Council for Child
Internet Safety
Henry Watson
Child Safety Unit, Department for Education

2. Today …
 History
 Problems and solutions
 Way ahead

3. History of UKCCIS
 The review was commissioned in 2007
 Led by clinical psychologist Professor Tanya Byron
 Published in March 2008
 UKCCIS officially launched on 29 September 2008 and
now has over 170 members, e.g. BT, Microsoft, NSPCC,
Ofcom
 First strategy published on 8 December 2009 at the Child
Internet Safety Summit hosted by the then Prime Minister
 Review of progress by Professor Byron in March 2010

4.  Content
– Inappropriate and harmful material
 Conduct
– Bullying
– Sexual messages
 Contact
– People who shouldn’t be contacting children
Professor Byron’s 2008 review: What’s the problem?

5. Cyberbullying
'the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), particularly
mobile phones and the internet, deliberately to upset someone else'
(Safe to Learn 2007)
19% of 12 -17 year olds have experienced forms of cyber-bullying
(2009 Staying Safe Survey)
Hurtful messages, the most common form of online bullying in Europe
(Risks and safety on the Internet 2010, LSE/EU). 4% of 14-16 year olds
experienced this in the last 12 months.
Improving good practice guidance for industry in moderating services used by
children, which we are revising
Responding to cyberbullying (in England!)
Reviewing Legal consequences
Increasing Powers to Head Teachers
Better Schools Inspection

6. What do we not know
• There is very little evidence on the links between using more portable
devices and how this may increase online risks
• There is very little research on the online risks faced by younger age
groups accessing the internet, particularly those aged 5-7
• More evidence is needed to quantify the extent to which children
encounter online risks, rather than just focusing on young people’s and
adults’ perceptions of such risks
• More research is needed to explore what specific strategies work best
in ensuring that young people use the internet safely

7. Professor Byron’s 2008 review: What are the answers?
UKCCIS:
Co-operative
working between
the Government,
industry and the
third sector
Reduce availability
Restrict access
Increase resilience
Culture of
responsibility
leading to improved
online safety
The review discussed the extraordinary opportunities of new technologies;
parents’ general lack of confidence and awareness; and how parents need the
right support to engage with their children and make them safe.
Key Priorities
•Self-regulation
•Education
•Awareness-raising

8. UKCCIS Strategy: Click Clever, Click Safe (2009)ThreeStrands
Creating a safer online environment
Deliverables: guidance, industry self-regulation,
BSI Kitemark, parental controls
Giving skills, knowledge and understanding to help
children and young people stay safe online
Deliverables: curriculum and resources, e.g. Know IT All
Inspiring safe and responsible use & behaviour
Deliverables: proactive campaigns by government
departments and others, and the CEOP one stop shop

9. UKCCIS priorities: a summary
Whilst individuals need to take responsibility for their own online behaviour,
they need support and tools.
Resources for schools
Resources and training for the children’s
workforce
Awareness and information embedded:
retailers, social networking sites, handset
manufacturers, videogames etc
One stop shop website
Self-regulation
Guidance
Parental controls (incl.
Kitemark)
A society where everybody has the skills,
knowledge and understanding to help
keep children and young people safe
online
A safer digital world for children and young people
A safer Online
Environment

10. Coalition Government
New Ministers:
- Tim Loughton, DfE
- James Brokenshire, Home Office
- Ed Vaizey, DCMS/BIS
Three meetings of UKCCIS Executive Board:
- results which are tangible and visible
- working in partnership
- Prime Minister

11. Priorities
Engaging parents
and children
Vulnerable groups
and underage
children on SNS
Resources for schools
and wider children’s
workforce
Parental
controls and
age
verification
Embedding
“Zip it, Block it,
Flag it”
Looking forward…
Forging stronger
links with e.g.
Race Online 2012
Further development
of One Stop Shop
Information at
point of sale

12. The Click Clever, Click Safe code