Facebook unveils global safety strategy to protect kids online

After years of controversy over its privacy controls, Facebook has finally stepped up to the plate and is launching the UK’s largest ever online safety campaign.

The initiative is designed to better protect Facebook’s 23 million UK users and give them greater control over their own safety online. 

The campaign consists of a number of elements including a redesigned abuse reporting system, a £5 million investment in education and awareness and improved cooperation with police.

The social network has also called on the government to consider new ways in which information about registered sex offenders can be securely shared with social networks – a model widely deployed by the US States which has effectively removed dangerous individuals from access to such services.

Children’s Charities’ Coalition on Internet Safety (CHIS) and the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) will be included in the group of organisations using Facebook to communicate important information about online protection.

The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) new ‘Click Clever, Click Safe’ campaign, CEOP, the NSPCC and BeatBullying have also been invited to participate.

Elliot Schrage, Vice-President of Global Communications and Public Policy at Facebook, said, “The investments and partnerships we’ve announced today – in direct reporting, in education and awareness, and in greater support for law enforcement – will transform social networking safety and security. They represent the most comprehensive public/private safety initiative since social networking began in the UK almost a decade ago.”

In addition to its £5 million investment, Facebook is also launching a completely redesigned Safety Centre (www.facebook.com/safety) with new safety resources designed to inform parents, educators, teens, and members of the law enforcement community about Facebook’s tools for using the service safely. This is the first major collaboration between Facebook and its global Safety Advisory Board.

Schrage added, “There is no single answer to making the Internet or Facebook safer. That’s why we’re approaching this in so many different ways.  We’ve redesigned Facebook’s abuse reporting mechanisms.  We’re investing in raising awareness, and giving parents, educators and teens new tools.  We’re building new bridges with law enforcement and encouraging new laws and regulations.  Our announcement today outlines critical components of our global safety strategy”.

Mark Williams-Thomas, Independent Child Protection Expert & Presenter of series ‘To Catch a Paedophile’, said: “The much called for report-it button alone does not make using social networking sites any safer, but a co-ordinated approach providing the additional reporting to CEOP is clearly worthwhile, as is a dedicated phone line for law enforcement. I firmly believe that education is key to keeping children and young people safe online and social networking sites need to show a commitment to work with both statutory and voluntary organisation to promote safety on the internet.”