The Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, has announced the  Coalition will establish an Online Safety Working Group to undertake a review on online safety for children

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In a press statement, he said the  Coalition Online Safety Working Group will consult with technology, education and cyber-safety leaders, parents and young people, as well as other interested parties, to further develop its online safety policy in the areas of education, regulation and enforcement.

 

“In a relatively short period of time, the internet has transformed our way of life. However, there are also risks, and children are particularly vulnerable. These risks include children being exposed to illegal or inappropriate content and the increasing use of social media as a forum for online bullying.

 

“Today’s online environment extends well beyond accessing websites and email through the family desktop computer. It also includes a range of interactive activities like social networking sites, SMS messaging, Skype, apps and games. 

 

“It is also becoming far more accessible with children and young people connecting with each other through computers (in homes, schools and libraries), game consoles and mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers.”

 

The Working Group will be chaired by the Member for Bradfield, Paul Fletcher, and will include   Senator Gary Humphries (Senator for Australian Capital Territory), Alex Hawke (Member for Mitchell), Natasha Griggs (Member for Solomon), Wyatt Roy (Member for Longman), Patrick Secker (Member for Barker), Senator Stephen Parry (Senator for Tasmania), Senator Bridget McKenzie (Senator for Victoria) and Luke Simpkins (Member for Cowan). 

 

The Working Group will also work closely with Shadow Ministers with portfolio responsibility for online safety, particularly the Shadow Ministers for Education and Communications.

 

Over coming months, the Working Group will undertake roundtables and community forums across Australia as well as a series of events online. 

 

The Online Safety Working group will report back to me by mid 2012.