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PRESS RELEASE
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 540a06
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet: www.coe.int/press
Council of Europe empowers children to deal with both positive and
negative sides of the Internet and other new technologies
Strasbourg, 29.09.2006 - The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers
has called on member states to make information technology an integral
part of school education from an early age, to help children maximise
benefits and avoid pitfalls of the Internet and other new technologies.
The 46-member Council of Europe is taking a positive approach to deal
with harmful content on the Web, partly in response to the dangers posed
by the Internet.
Measures approved in a new Committee of Ministers' Recommendation
<http://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp? Ref=3DRec(2006)12&Sector=3DsecCM&Language= 3Dla
nEnglish&Ver=3Doriginal&BackColorInte rnet=3D9999CC&BackColorIntranet=3DFFBB55&
BackColorLogged=3DFFAC75> include giving children the skills to
create,
produce and distribute content in new technologies, respecting the
rights and freedoms of others while also promoting their own right to
freedom of expression.
The recommendation calls for member states to ensure that these skills
enable children to better understand and deal with questionable content,
including violence, pornography, discrimination and racism.
In addition, the forthcoming Council of Europe Pan-European Forum in
Yerevan, Armenia, on 5 and 6 October 2006 will bring together
representatives of Council of Europe member states, civil society, the
private sector, academia and the media, and other interested
organisations.
"Empowering children to use the Internet is the best filter," said Maud
de Boer-Buquicchio, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General, several
days ahead of the forum.
The forum will stress that filtering and labelling Internet content is
not enough to ensure that children and young people can surf the web
safely - in the exercise of their rights and freedoms, including the
freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and
ideas.
Children and young people need to be, and to feel, empowered when using
the Internet, so they can competently use its tools and services and
critically analyse Internet content and communications. By equipping
them and their educators with appropriate skills and knowledge, they
will be able to exercise their rights and freedoms fully and
responsibly, to improve their development and well-being online.
On the web: http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human_Rights/media.
To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]
A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46
member states.
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 540a06
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet: www.coe.int/press
Council of Europe empowers children to deal with both positive and
negative sides of the Internet and other new technologies
Strasbourg, 29.09.2006 - The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers
has called on member states to make information technology an integral
part of school education from an early age, to help children maximise
benefits and avoid pitfalls of the Internet and other new technologies.
The 46-member Council of Europe is taking a positive approach to deal
with harmful content on the Web, partly in response to the dangers posed
by the Internet.
Measures approved in a new Committee of Ministers' Recommendation
<http://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp? Ref=3DRec(2006)12&Sector=3DsecCM&Language= 3Dla
nEnglish&Ver=3Doriginal&BackColorInte rnet=3D9999CC&BackColorIntranet=3DFFBB55&
BackColorLogged=3DFFAC75> include giving children the skills to
create,
produce and distribute content in new technologies, respecting the
rights and freedoms of others while also promoting their own right to
freedom of expression.
The recommendation calls for member states to ensure that these skills
enable children to better understand and deal with questionable content,
including violence, pornography, discrimination and racism.
In addition, the forthcoming Council of Europe Pan-European Forum in
Yerevan, Armenia, on 5 and 6 October 2006 will bring together
representatives of Council of Europe member states, civil society, the
private sector, academia and the media, and other interested
organisations.
"Empowering children to use the Internet is the best filter," said Maud
de Boer-Buquicchio, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General, several
days ahead of the forum.
The forum will stress that filtering and labelling Internet content is
not enough to ensure that children and young people can surf the web
safely - in the exercise of their rights and freedoms, including the
freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and
ideas.
Children and young people need to be, and to feel, empowered when using
the Internet, so they can competently use its tools and services and
critically analyse Internet content and communications. By equipping
them and their educators with appropriate skills and knowledge, they
will be able to exercise their rights and freedoms fully and
responsibly, to improve their development and well-being online.
On the web: http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human_Rights/media.
To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]
A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46
member states.