Pioneering the protection of children in cyberspace.

SGGP 07/06/2023 07:07

Internet activities are increasingly taking up more of Australians' lives. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that 99% of teenagers aged 15-17 are most dependent on the internet, spending an average of 18 hours online each week.

Australia is working to control harmful information on the internet.

Therefore, the Australian Cyber ​​Security Commission made the final decision on the world's first Internet Security Act. Accordingly, the technology industry is required to take appropriate steps to reduce access to harmful content.

These regulations aim to ensure that internet companies actively monitor and remove illegal content, such as child sexual abuse and terrorist-related material, from their platforms.

According to Julie Inman Grant, Director of the Australian Cyber ​​Security Commission, these measures demonstrate Australia's global leadership in ensuring cybersecurity.

"Most Australians are surprised to learn that, while information about child sexual abuse and incitement to terrorism is illegal, no government in the world has required technology companies to proactively prevent, detect, and then remove such content," Ms. Grant said.

Ms. Grant also affirmed that cybersecurity regulations would not affect people's privacy rights. According to her, privacy rights should not be invoked as an excuse for not addressing cybersecurity issues.

Meanwhile, John Livingstone, Director of Cyber ​​Policy at UNICEF Australia, argues that government safety measures regarding the internet will help young people (who are particularly vulnerable) avoid potentially traumatic content if they access it.

Specifically, these regulations help to enhance the protection of children in the online world, as children spend a significant amount of time online and are therefore at a higher risk of harm. Any measures that can enhance online protection for children are welcome and help achieve UNICEF's desired goals.

According to Livingstone, for cybersecurity measures to be most effective, technology companies must be aware of their responsibilities and be accountable for their actions. “We need the technology industry to operate to high standards, especially with extremely dangerous content such as child sexual abuse. The highest level of protection for children needs to be aimed for, given the serious impact of this type of content,” Livingstone said.

A UNICEF official stated that achieving this would make Australia the safest place in the world for children to access the internet. It is understood that the Electronic Safety Commission will negotiate online safety regulations, relating to legislative materials that the Australian government deems inappropriate for children, such as online pornography.

In the near future, the Cybersecurity Committee will announce five cybersecurity regulations. Parties subject to these regulations include: social media services; application distribution services; data storage services; internet transmission services; and manufacturers, suppliers, maintenance providers, or installers of equipment related to online services or internet transmission.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tien-phong-bao-ve-tre-em-tren-khong-gian-mang-post692688.html