DEPARTMENT FOR
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (030/2008) issued by The
Government News Network on 27 March 2008
Joint DCMS/DCSF
Press Release
Ed Balls and Andy Burnham today welcomed the Byron Review of the
risks to children of potentially harmful or inappropriate material
on the internet and in video games. Accepting all Dr Byron's
recommendations, they pledged to act immediately on taking forward
her proposals.
This commits the Government to push forward with the ambitious
actions set out in Tanya Byron's report 'Safer Children
in a Digital World.' The Department for Children Schools and
Families and Department for Culture Media and Sport will work with
industry, schools and parents to ensure children and young people
remain safe in the online world.
Ed Balls Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families said:
"Our aim is to make this the best place in the world for
children and young people to grow up. In our Children's Plan
consultations parents have told us the internet is an issue which
really worries them and they want help in balancing the risks and
the opportunities.
"I am grateful to Dr Byron for carrying out this review and
the recommendations show a convincing analysis of how we can
properly manage risk in a fast paced, fast changing new media environment.
"I welcome Dr Byron's focus on a shared culture of
responsibility. Keeping children and young people safe from harm
must be the priority and responsibility of us all. However,
children also need to be able to learn, have new experiences and
enjoy their childhoods. So we will help families strike the right
balance between keeping children safe and allowing them the
freedom they need by taking forward Dr Byron's recommendations.
"Children and young people often know more about the latest
developments in new technology and video games than adults do. Dr
Byron's recommendations will help parents to recognise risks
and judge what is appropriate, such as bringing the 12+ rating on
video games in line with film age classification.
"This important issue remains a priority for Government and
a UK Council on Child Internet Safety, established by and
reporting to the Prime Minister will lead on a national strategy
for improving child internet safety."
Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
(DCMS) said:
"As Dr Byron points out, parents of my generation, who grew
up in a purely analogue world, face real challenges in
understanding the new media world.
"This is a landmark report, setting out clearly for the
first time how we can make sure that children can enjoy the
benefits of new technology, while being protected from
inappropriate material. There is no question that children can
benefit greatly from the digital world, but there are real risks
that must be managed.
"We can all - the Government, parents and the industry -
play a part in reducing that risk and Dr Byron has set out a clear
plan of action.
"I am committed to working with the internet and games
industries to build on existing safeguards. Specifically, we will
consult on a more coherent classification system for video games.
We want to empower young people and allow them to enjoy the
educational, social and entertainment potential of the digital age.
"Dr Byron has shown how direct engagement with children and
parents can illuminate the issues and reveal the best ways of
making a real difference to our lives."
DCSF and DCMS will now work together with other key Departments
including Home Office, Department for Business, Enterprise and
Regulatory Reform to take forward Dr Byron's recommendations.