Government Report into Best Practice for Children Online

The Home Office has published a document outlining models of good practice for online chat, as part of its crime reduction initiative.

The report was produced with the help of the internet industry and children's charities. It focusses on good practice in chat, messaging and web services which will help make children safer online.

'Alongside the huge legitimate benefits the internet offers, there is the potential for accidental exposure of children to pornographic or paedophilic material, for bullying or harassment and, most seriously, for paedophiles to make approaches, for example, in chat rooms or via instant messaging, with the intention of "grooming" children for sexual abuse,' says the report.

The information within it 'is intended primarily as a guide to commercial or other organisations, or individuals, who are already providing online services or are considering doing so in the future.'

"Good practice models and guidance for the internet industry on chat services, instant messaging and web based services" is available as a pdf from the Home Office site (details below).

Associated Link: Report into Good Practice Models

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