Conclusions to yesterday's hearing at the Economic and Social Committee - 6 June 2003

The EU Economic and Social Committee called in the internet businesses to a hearing to answer parents' concerns about child safety on-line. In a sometimes controversial discussion that participants asked to be repeated in a few months' time, it was  agreed that:

• self regulation is not enough on its own.
• children should not be asked by businesses to give out personal information on-line.
• parents don't understand filtering systems - they have to be made simpler or installed default.
• children usually use the internet on their own, so protecting them cannot be left to parents - government and industry must act.
• the internet is global; we need the EU to insist globally on higher standards.
• business will give EU hotlines more support to stop child pornography.
• other 'notice and take down' systems are needed for racism and harmful material.
• pressure was placed on ISPs to put safety messages on all home pages and chat room entrances.

Ann Davison EESC rapporteur said 'This has been a huge step forward in making the industry accountable to parental concerns. The EESC will study the results and then consider whether new laws are needed.'