The Internet Telecom Union (ITU) and UNICEF have asked Internet Service Providers, mobile operators, app developers and all other Web stakeholders to integrate child rights aspects into all appropriate corporate and management policies. They have also called for developing standard processes to handle the child sexual abuse material.
With a view to checking the child sex abuse online, the global bodies have asked the mobile operators to immediately remove or block the access to child sexual abuse material as soon it is identified. They have asked the operators to work with law enforcement agencies to keep a tab on the offenders.
They also want the stakeholders to make sure that customers know how to make a report if they discover child sex abuse material. Citing the example of Vodafone that offered a Web window to report illegal content, the ITU want the stakeholders to provide a link to a national hotline, if available.
With a view to make Internet a safe place for children, the ITU and UNICEF have released new guidelines for the industry to combat child sexual abuse material and to create a safer and age appropriate environment for children on the Web. The blueprint gives industry-specific advice covering the whole gamut of stakeholders, who are providing a variety of services over the Internet.
“The new version of the guidelines can be considered as a blueprint that can be adapted locally for specific industries,” an ITU spokesperson told Business Line , responding to queries on the revised version.
The UNICEF has associated itself with ITU in evolving the 2014 edition of ‘Guidelines for Industry on Child Online Protection’.
It would establish benchmarks for recommended actions, besides guiding in identifying, preventing and mitigating risks. “It would also give guidance on supporting children’s rights,” the ITU spokesperson said.
The second part of the document contains six sector-specific checklists for mobile operators, ISPs (Internet Service Providers), content providers, online retailers and app (application) developers. It also covers those who provide social media service providers, national and public service broadcasters, hardware manufacturers, operating system developers and those manage app stores.