Family Online Safety Institute

Latest Thinking on European Policies and Practices
06 June 2013

At the Family Online Safety Institute's recent forum held in Dublin the discussions revolved around safety, digital citizenship, data protection and privacy, and incorporated perspectives from representatives of the European Commission, Irish Government and Data Protection authority and the UK Government and Data Protection Commission.

The Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union provided an opportunity to revisit the current situation in Europe and discuss emerging challenges and opportunities for collaboration. In a keynote address at the event, provided by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, she underlined the challenges presented by the Internet in stating, "we've got to control the worst and promote the best."

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Industry Commits to Make the Internet a Better Place for Children in Europe
22 February 2013

On December 1, 2011 Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes launched the CEO Coalition to make the Internet a Better Place for kids. After 433 days, dozens of meetings and countless informal discussions industry finally reported back on February 5, 2013 on their individual and collective commitments.

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The Implications of the FTC's New COPPA Rule
25 January 2013

On December 19th the Federal Trade Commission released its much awaited revisions to the Rule that supplements the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. The new text has divided opinion among industry, privacy advocates and app developers and the impact of the changes will be felt not just in the United States but around the world.

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Trends in Online Safety: The Trans-Atlantic Debate and its Global Implications
01 October 2012

Today the Internet touches the daily lives of over 2 billion people and this number is increasing every day consequently issues around privacy & safety are growing ever more important. Governments around the world are attempting a variety of measures to protect their citizens, while offering them access to an unrivalled resource where they can learn, share ideas and connect with others.

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Active Choice Features at UK Online Safety Summit
13 July 2012

This summer, government, industry, academics and non-profits are working together in the United Kingdom to protect children from harmful content they may access online. In 2008 the United Kingdom took the global lead in children's Internet safety. Drawing on recommendations from Professor Tanya Byron's report, 'Safer Children in a Digital World,' the UK government convened over 180 stakeholders to work together to ensure that children experienced all of the great opportunities of the online world, while minimizing the risks.

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Safety & Privacy in a Digital Europe
29 May 2012

On May 15, 2012 the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) hosted a forum within the European Parliament in Brussels, designed to bring together the European Commission, Parliament, key industry players and civil society for informal discussions. Against the backdrop of an activist European Union, the panels covered key topics in Internet safety, privacy and the need for a complementary international approach.

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European Commission proposes reforms to Data Protection Law
13 February 2012

On January 25th, 2012, the European Union introduced its much anticipated reforms to the 1995 Data Protection Directive. The proposals offered by Commissioner Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, are some of the most sweeping changes to data protection and online privacy ever made. In addition to working to create a digital single market, as proposed in the 2010 Digital Agenda for Europe, the rules create new consent mechanisms for both adults and children, increased individual control over personal data and a right to be forgotten for all.

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