Earlier in the month, the Online Safety and Technology Working Group within the NTIA submitted their report entitled Youth Safety on a Living Internet, along with their recommendations to the Dept of Commerce and members of the House and Senate.
Here is a summary of the objectives of the report which is take directly from the introductory comments…
On behalf of the Online Safety and Technology Working Group (OSTWG), we are pleased to transmit this report to you. As mandated, we reviewed and evaluated:
1. The status of industry efforts to promote online safety through educational efforts, parental control technology, blocking and filtering software, age-appropriate labels for content or other technologies or initiatives designed to promote a safe online environment for children;
2. The status of industry efforts to promote online safety among providers of electronic communications services and remote computing services by reporting apparent child pornography, including any obstacles to such reporting;
3. The practices of electronic communications service providers and remote computing service providers related to record retention in connection with crimes against children; and
4. The development of technologies to help parents shield their children from inappropriate material on the Internet.
The report contains recommendations in each of the above categories, as well some general recommendations. We believe these recommendations will further advance our collective goal to provide a safer online experience to our children.
This is an important document. If you have children, know children or are involved with kids at church or school you should take the time to read this report.
- Dan
