Action Plan For Online Safety

Government Launches Action Plan for Online Safety Including the Be Safe Online Website

This week saw the launch the Government’s Action Plan for Online Safety. It’s the first plan of its kind in Ireland and was drawn up following engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including at the Open Policy Debate held in March, and the recent report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs.

The actions contained in the plan cut across six Government Departments – underlying the range and breadth of the issues involved – Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Education and Skills; Justice and Equality; Children and Youth Affairs; Health and Business Enterprise and Innovation. The plan is based around 5 goals; Online Safety for All; Better Supports; Stronger Protections; Influencing Policy and Building Our Understanding.

Through the Action Plan the Government aims to work with stakeholders to implement actions, over an 18 month period, that are achievable and which will have the greatest impact on online safety for everyone in Ireland. Key actions include:

• A new National Advisory Council on Online Safety, chaired by Minister of State Kyne, to provide advice to Government on online safety policy issues with stakeholder input and engagement
• Legislation for new criminal offences with the support of the Oireachtas
• A national communications campaign and single identity – Be Safe Online – with key online safety messages targeted at specific groups, including children and young people; parents, guardians and teachers
• The creation of a single online access point on www.gov.ie/besafeonline through which all available Online Safety resources can be accessed
• A coherent and united policy approach across Government through the establishment of a new Sponsors Group structure, chaired by the Department of Education and Skills.

The easiest way for members of the public to benefit directly from the new Action Plan is for them too access the Be Safe Online website that provides access to a wide range of easily accessible Online Safety resources, to support online safety for all.

You can access the Be Safe Online website HERE