New online safety codes to protect children released for community consultation

New online safety codes to protect children have been released by Digital Industry Group Inc for community consultation.

New safety codes to protect children from exposure to online pornography and harmful content are being released for community consultation.

The draft codes were designed by Australian communications, digital and video game industry associations which could become enforceable by the eSafety Commissioner if accepted for registration under the Online Safety Act 2021.

The codes would apply to all content across Australia’s digital, communications and video game sectors if accepted by the commissioner.

Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI) regulatory affairs and research policy director Jennifer Duxbury said the development of the draft online safety codes was a critical step forward in keeping children safe from pornography and inappropriate content.

Draft safety codes to protect children from exposure to online pornography and harmful content are being released for community consultation.

Dr Duxbury said keeping children safe online was a key priority for industry, parents and government, and an objective that required effort from everyone involved.

“The draft safety codes we’ve released today are a joint effort between companies committed to online safety and the government to strengthen safeguards for minors when it comes to online pornography and age-inappropriate content,” she said.

“The key principles of these codes are to protect and support children, provide all end users, including parents, with more control over what their children see, read and hear and to protect privacy and online safety.

The draft codes were designed by Australian communications, digital and video game industry associations which could become enforceable if they are accepted by the eSafety Commissioner.

“The internet is an integral part of our daily lives. For children and young people, it’s vital for their education, leisure and connection with their friends and online communities.

“Importantly, the draft online safety codes will also include measures such as how digital platforms will approach age assurance.

“Once finalised, these draft safety codes will make an invaluable contribution to protecting children from online pornography and other harmful content.

“We encourage all stakeholders, including consumer organisations, civil society groups, academics, industry, parents and community members, to have their say on the draft codes and provide feedback.”

If the eSafety Commissioner accepts the draft codes they would become enforceable across the industry including for social media and internet providers, and manufacturers of smart devices and computers.

If the eSafety Commissioner accepts the codes they would become enforceable across all eight sections of the industry, including providers of social media, messaging services, search engine and app distribution services.

Internet providers, hosting services, manufacturers and suppliers of any equipment that connects to the internet, including smart devices and computers would also be required to comply with the safety codes.

The draft safety codes were developed by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Alliance, Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association, DIGI and the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association.

Public consultation for the draft codes is open until November 22, they can be found at onlinesafety.org.au.