Today the Government has published a consultation that will help shape the UK’s strategies around online safety.

The Internet Safety Strategy green paper looks at how to make Britain the safest place in the world to be online. The Strategy considers the responsibilities of companies to their users, the use of technical solutions to prevent online harms and government’s role in supporting users.

The consultation covers various aspects of online safety including:

• the introduction of a social media code of practice, transparency reporting and a social media levy
• technological solutions to online harms
• developing children’s digital literacy
• support for parents and carers

A welcome step

As part of the UK Safer Internet Centre, the Internet Watch Foundation welcomes this strategy and we look forward to engaging in the consultation to help shape these initiatives to protect and empower children and young people and those who support them.

Statement from the UK Safer Internet Centre:

"As the national centre dedicated to making the UK the safest place in the world to be online, the UK Safer Internet Centre, a partnership of three charities - Childnet, the Internet Watch Foundation and South West Grid for Learning – welcomes the Government’s Internet Safety Strategy, which reflects our own work and priorities.

“Technology plays a fundamental role in everyone’s lives presenting both opportunities and threats. Our aim, like this strategy, is to promote national collaboration around these issues to deliver positive change among children and young people right across the UK - as well as those who support them - through education and increased awareness of the safe and responsible use of technology.”

Have your say

The Government is inviting responses from organisations and individuals until 7 December.

Find out more and respond to the consultation.