DEPARTMENT FOR
CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES News Release (2007/0179) issued by
The Government News Network on 9 October 2007
Clinical
psychologist Dr Tanya Byron today launched a "call for
evidence" to gather information advice and views about the
risks to children and young people of exposure to potentially
harmful or inappropriate material on the internet and video games.
This call for evidence is part of the independent review which Dr
Byron has been asked to conduct by the Prime Minister and the two
Secretaries of State for Department for Children, Schools and
Families and Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Anyone with an interest can respond to the questions Dr Byron has
set out today. Her questions cover video games and the internet,
and seek views on the benefits and opportunities of these
fantastic new technologies, as well as exploring the potential
risks and how children, young people and their parents can be
supported to manage them.
Responses to the call for evidence will shape the direction that
the Review takes over the forthcoming months and ensure that Dr
Byron's final report to the Secretaries of State at DCSF and
DCMS is based on robust and comprehensive evidence.
Dr Tanya Byron said:
"Anybody who has children will know that video games and the
internet are a part of childhood like never before. This is
tremendously positive. New technology is giving kids opportunities
to learn, have fun, be creative and communicate in ways that
previous generations could only dream of. But many parents still
feel ill-equipped to help their children navigate this technology safely.
By issuing my call for evidence today, I want to start a debate
about how Government, industry and society as a whole can support
parents to guide our children into the virtual world, with the
same confidence as when we show them how to stay safe in our local community."
Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said:
"We all value the great educational, social and
entertainment benefits that the internet and video games
technologies offer. However I know parents want to have
information on how their children can take advantage of the
positive benefits of these technologies, whilst being able to
protect them against the risks.
"We know for example that 46 per cent of children say they
have given out personal information online - but only 5 per cent
of parents realise this.
"It is vital that those who are most informed in these areas
come forward and engage with Dr Byron to see what more can be done
to help families enjoy video games and the internet safely. I
encourage everyone with an interest in this important debate to
have their say."
Culture Secretary James Purnell said:
"The internet and computer games offer a world of
opportunities for children - but at the same time they can present
a huge challenge to parents.
"It's essential that, as well as parents and children,
the industry and the regulators engage with this review so we can
deal with inappropriate content and maximise the huge advantages
the internet brings."
In addition to this call for evidence, the Byron Review will also
undertake more targeted consultations with children, young people,
parents and gamers.
The Call for evidence is open to any interested party and can be
found at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/byronreview
or by contacting the Byron Review: byron.review@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Some of the questions included in the Call for Evidence are
below, the full document can be found at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/byronreview:
* What are the benefits and opportunities that new technologies
offer for children, young people, their families, society and the economy?
* What are the potential or actual risks to children's
safety and wellbeing of going online and playing video games and
how do children, young people and parents feel about those risks?
* To what extent do children, young people and parents understand
and manage those risks and how well are they supported to do so?
* What, if anything, could be changed in order to help children,
young people and parents manage the potential or actual risks of
going online or playing video games, and what are the pros and
cons of different approaches?
PUBLIC ENQUIRIES: 0870 000 2288 info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
INTERNET
ADDRESS : http://www.dcsf.gov.uk
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/findoutmore
If you would like to receive email notification of new press
notices in the subjects of your choice, please click on
'register' on our site: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk,
'Latest News'.