30 November 2007

Childnet responds to the Byron Review Call for Evidence on Children and New Technology

Childnet have today responded to the Byron Review’s call for evidence on Children and New Technology. 

Childnet’s response to the review followed a meeting with Dr Byron and the review team in early October. The response welcomed the approach adopted by the review and the recognition of the opportunities and the benefits that the Internet has to offer. 

Lucinda Fell who coordinated the Childnet response said,

“We believe that the Internet is a profoundly exciting technology that offers a number of benefits to children and young people, particularly the opportunities of the new Web2 and mobile technologies for children to create and connect more easily. 

We were very pleased to see the pragmatic tone of the review in its acceptance that risks are part of life and that it is important for children and young people to learn to understand, assess and manage risks, both offline and online, as part of the growing up process. Dangers that can be encountered online must be balanced against the positive experience offered online.” 

Childnet’s submission contained a number of key priorities for consideration by the review team.

These included:

• Recognising the importance of involving and equipping children and young people to manage their own online experience
• Recognising and responding to the concerns and fears that parents and carers have about children online
• Recognising the importance of promoting the positive and inspiring ways children, young people and families can use the technology for good
• Recognising existing E-Safety initiatives and the value of a multi-stakeholder approach, alongside the need to keep up to speed with the fast changing pace of technology
• Recognising the need for the integration of key e-safety messages in the formal curriculum so that these can be addressed in schools

Download the full Childnet submission.

Childnet also submitted a response to the DCSF Staying Safe Consultation in October which can be accessed.