Online safety is an international issue... and there's some interesting news from across the pond.   In 2007, the United Kingdom's Prime Minister asked Dr. Byron to conduct an independent review of the risks to children of inappropriate or potentially harmful material on the Internet and video games.

Her study is now complete and the recommendations of the Byron Review have just been released.   The Review highlights the tremendous benefits of the Internet for kids, but also recognizes the dangers.  One important observation is that parents often lack the knowledge of the Internet necessary to protect their children.

The Review recommends the creation of a UK Council for Child Internet Safety.  The council will bring together government, industry, children's charities, parents, and young people to address online safety issues.  The Review also recommends a comprehensive public information and awareness campaign on child Internet safety across government and industry.  

The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) issued a press release and CEO Stephen Balkam hailed the report as "...the most comprehensive review of the Internet and children to date..."

There's much more to the Byron Review and you can read about it by following the links below:

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/byronreview/

http://www.fosi.org/press/fosiwelcomesbyron/