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Action plan for a Safer Internet 1999-2004
Action plan for a Safer Internet 1999-2004
Action plan for a Safer Internet 1999-2004
This summary has been archived and will not be updated, because the summarised document is no longer in force or does not reflect the current situation.
Action plan for a Safer Internet 1999-2004
The "Safer Internet" action plan aims to foster a favourable environment for the development of the Internet industry by promoting safe use of the Internet and combating illegal or harmful content. The programme is based on three lines of action:
- creating a safer environment by establishing a European network of hotlines and encouraging self-regulation and codes of conduct;
- developing filtering tools;
- raising awareness.
ACT
Decision No 276/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 January 1999 adopting a multiannual Community action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global networks [See Amending acts].
SUMMARY
Illegal/harmful content
The distinction between illegal and harmful content is important as these two types of content are dealt with differently:
Duration, financial framework
The four-year action plan (1 January 1999 to 31 December 2002) has been granted total funding of 25 million.
General objective
The action plan aims to promote the safer use of the Internet and to encourage, at European level, an environment favourable to the development of the Internet industry.
Action lines
The action plan divides into four sections:
Action
The Commission will be responsible for the following activities to achieve the programme's objectives:
Participation
In addition to the Member States of the EU, participation in this programme may be open to legal entities established in the EFTA countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA), and to European international organisations. Participation may also be open to legal entities established in non-member countries which do not form part of the EEA and to non-European international organisations, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the programme.
Extension of the programme until 2005
The action plan was extended until 31 December 2004 and the budget increased by 13.3 million to cover the two extra years.
New Safer Internet Plus action plan
In 2005 the Council adopted a Decision establishing the Safer Internet Plus programme aimed at promoting the safer use of the Internet and new online technologies. The programme will cover the years 2005-2008 and will follow on from the Safer Internet action plan (1999-2004).
References
Act |
Entry into force - Date of expiry |
Deadline for transposition in the Member States |
Official Journal |
Decision 276/99/EC [adoption: codecision COD/1997/0337] |
26.2.1999 |
- |
OJ L 33, 6.2.1999 |
Amending act(s) |
Entry into force |
Deadline for transposition in the Member States |
Official Journal |
Decision No 1151/2003/EC [adoption: codecision COD/2002/0071] |
1.7.2003 |
- |
OJ L 162, 1.7.2003 |
RELATED ACTS
EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAMME
Communication from the Commission of 6 November 2006: Final evaluation of the implementation of the multiannual Community action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global networks [COM(2006) 663 final].
The independent experts who evaluated the programme highlight its effectiveness in combating illegal Internet content. The programme's success derives mainly from launching national hotlines and awareness nodes in almost all Member States.
Filtering systems are also an essential element in the eyes of the stakeholders. However, there is too little knowledge among parents on how to handle them and the progress made in developing these technologies remains unsatisfactory. It is also noted that there have been positive developments in industry self-regulation, codes of conduct and best practices.
The evaluation report put forward various recommendations for continuing Community action in this area:
Communication from the Commission of 3 November 2003 concerning the evaluation of the multiannual Community action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet and new online technologies by combating illegal and harmful content primarily in the area of the protection of children and minors [COM(2003) 653 final - Not published in the Official Journal].
The report stresses the positive impact of the action plan, particularly in fostering networking and providing a wealth of information about the problems of safer use of the Internet. In particular, the report concluded that:
In addition, the authors of the evaluation recommend extending the objectives of the programme to encompass new and emerging communication technologies (e.g. 3G mobile telephones) that will influence children's use of the Internet. The Commission stresses that this point is already being dealt with in the second (2003-2004) phase of the programme.
SAFER INTERNET PLUS PROGRAMME (2005-2008)
Decision No 854/2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005 establishing a multiannual Community Programme on promoting safer use of the Internet and new online technologies [Official Journal L 149, 11.6.2005].
EXTENSION OF THE SAFER INTERNET PROGRAMME UNTIL 2005
Decision No 1151/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 June 2003 amending Decision No 276/1999/EC adopting a multiannual Community action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global networks [Official Journal L 162, 1.7.2003].
Further information on the Safer Internet initiative is available on the European Commission's Information Society website .
Last updated: 19.01.2007