[LINK] Commission promotes Safer Internet (news release)

[David Goldstein]

Hi all

Below is an EC News Release about its Internet Action Plan and the
projects it is funding for the next few years. For more information,
see the Information Society’s Internet Action Plan web site at
http://www.ispo.cec.be/iap.

Following the Call for Proposals launched in 1999 there are 10
projects underway financed by the EC. The projects cover a variety of
activities across the Action Plan including:
·	3 addressing the creation of a European network of hotlines; 
·	5 working on development of rating and filtering systems for
Internet content; 
·	2 dealing with preparatory awareness activity. 

Cheers
David

Commission promotes Safer Internet

Brussels, 15 June 2000 
Commission promotes Safer Internet

Ten projects are being financed under the European Commission's
Action Plan on promoting safer use of the Internet. This Action Plan
runs for four years (1999 - 2002) and provides euro 25 million
funding for measures to deal with illegal and harmful content on the
global network. A new call for proposals for awareness actions and
hotlines is also under way 

The projects under way cover the three action lines of the Action
Plan: 

1.	European network of hotlines 

Hotlines allow members of the public to report illegal content on the
Internet. The hotlines then deal with the reports by passing them on
to the appropriate body (Internet Service Providers, the police,
hotlines in other countries) in accordance with their operating
rules. This helps to reduce the flow of illegal content and
contributes to the effective protection of Internet users. Hotlines
in 8 countries grouped together in the INHOPE association will
co-operate in Europe and internationally. Proposals for new hotlines
are invited for 7 July 2000. 

2. Rating and filtering 

Parental control mechanisms (rating and filtering) are a means of
empowering parents to improve safer use of the Internet by their
children. Five projects with a number of different technical
approaches are being supported. 

3. Awareness 

Parents, teachers and children need to be made aware of the potential
of the Internet and its drawbacks and do not always have sufficient
knowledge about the means to protect children from undesirable
content. Awareness actions contribute to the trust and confidence of
parents and teachers in safer use of the Internet by children. Two
projects are currently being funded. A new call for proposals for
awareness actions is under way with a closing date of 7 July 2000. 

Details of the projects and calls are available from the Website
http://www.ispo.cec.be/iap 


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