143/05
14 December 2005

NineMSN/NetAlert Internet safety survey welcomed

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today welcomed the results of an Internet safety survey conducted by NineMSN and NetAlert.

“The ‘Online Safety for Teens’ survey makes an important contribution to public awareness and emphasises the importance of community education in addressing online safety issues,” Senator Coonan said.

“The survey results demonstrate the continued need for Internet safety education and ongoing communication between parents and children. “The Australian Government is proud of its record in protecting Australian families from potential harm online and ensuring they are well informed about ways to minimise risks.

“The Internet needs to be a safer place for the community, particularly children. The Government has taken a strong stand on Internet pornography with a three-pronged approach through the Online Content Co-regulatory Scheme involving legislation, regulation and education.”

The scheme cracks down on the scourge of illegal and offensive content on the Internet by banning X and RC rated content hosted in Australia and establishing a complaints-based mechanism administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Internet service providers are also required to provide Internet safety advice and make Internet filters available to consumers at cost price or below. Education is a critical element of the Online Content Co-regulatory Scheme and the Government provides ongoing funding for the Internet safety organisation, NetAlert.

This funding includes an additional $2 million for the National CyberSafe Program, a two-year targeted online safety training roadshow and information campaign.

The roadshow, know as NetAlert Expo, launched in August this year, is educating parents, teachers and community groups about the risks children face online and provides information about how to keep children safe on the Internet.

NetAlert Expo has already toured Victoria and Queensland and will visit other states and territories during 2006. “The Government’s strategy is working. The Kidsonline@home study released earlier this year, based on a national survey of around 500 children and their parents, found that 35 per cent of respondents use software to filter inappropriate websites,” Senator Coonan said.

“This has more than doubled since 2001 when 17 per cent of the survey of Internet-connected households with a child aged under 18 reported using such software. “This increase has been driven by the Government funded education campaign delivered by NetAlert.”