European ISPs support the creation of a safe online environment 
EuroISPA represents ISPs across Europe. It shares and supports initiatives aiming at creating a safe environment for minors in the internet both through the establishment of appropriate legal and technological solutions but also through the work of organisations such as the Insafe network dedicated to raising awareness.
It is paramount that all players in the internet chain are involved in ensuring the online protection of youngsters, from technology manufacturers, mobile operators and ISPs to parents, teachers and other educators. The interactive and unlimited features of the internet (unlike TV and traditional media) require adults to be aware of the potential dangers of the net vis-à-vis minors and to be proactive to choose and use the appropriate technological and "soft" solutions to protect them.
An example of good-practice is being implemented in Italy, involving the Italian ISPA (AIIP), where over the past few years, ISPs across have been working to promote self-regulation through a Code named “Internet and Minors”. The Code is progressively being signed up by the majority of ISPs in many countries. Its purpose is to help adults, minors and families to improve their awareness about the correct use of the internet and to provide appropriate defence tools to prevent minors from getting in touch with dangerous or harmful content, at the same time ensuring non-discriminatory and open access to the networks and protecting the privacy of users. According to the Code, ISPs shall duly inform families about the potential dangers for minors arising out of the internet and give adequate information about the available technological solutions for minors’ protection.
EuroISPA considers that the most effective solutions to protect users should be as close to the end-user as possible. This underlines the importance of awareness raising to promote, above all, media literacy which plays an essential role both in developing children’s safer use of technologies, and promoting to adults their responsibilities in respect of the use of the internet by minors under their supervision. Parents from different cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds have varying but equally valid concepts of what is beneficial and what is harmful for their children. They need to be given every opportunity, through actions such as those conducted by the Insafe network, to understand and accompany their children in their activities online in order to ensure that their values are carried on into the virtual world.
Author: Richard Nash, Secretary-General EuroISPA
