Childnet launches “Children & Mobile Phones: An agenda for children.” July 2004

“If you took away my phone you would take away a part of me.” [1]

Childnet International today launched a new policy paper entitled, “Children & Mobile Phones: An agenda for children.” Written with the support and in consultation with the GSM Association, - the global trade association for the GSM mobile operators - the document seeks to introduce the issues which all those involved in developing and delivering new interactive services need to review to ensure that children really benefit from the new technologies.

The publication coincided with Childnet’s CEO, Stephen Carrick-Davies speaking to a cross party group of MPs and Lords in London. This special seminar “Mobile Generation: Realising Potential, minimising Risk” was called to discuss how the mobile industry is working to minimise the risks to vulnerable users of mobile phones from harmful and illegal content, whilst ensuring that the huge potential of 3G services is achieved. At the seminar Stephen shared the experience from Childnet in helping children and young people realise the positive potential of using the Internet and mobile technologies as well as the need for effective awareness and media literacy. You can view and read Stephen’s presentation here.

The publication of the Agenda for Children outlines some of the reasons why children and young people love mobile phones and the actions needed by all sectors to ensure that the risks for children are minimized. It also outlines some of the lessons from the experience of the internet and some of the emerging challenges.

The format follows the same as a Childnet’s original Agenda Document for Children which it published in 1998. This document was the first in its kind to lay out the issues for children using the fixed internet, and the various responses needed by all sectors. In its way it was instrumental in helping to motivate others into action.

Speaking at the launch of the document, Stephen Carrick-Davies says,

“We have not produced this document as merely a “shopping list” of actions for others to address, but rather want to play our part in working with other players, and young people themselves, to pioneer effective education and awareness resources and creative projects which showcase the positive potential of the new technologies. There are no simple easy solutions and we need to work together to ensure that children are protected and really benefit from the new mobile technologies. I hope this document which has been written in a simple, non-technical way will result in further debate and practical responses.”

You can view the document as a pdf file here or order a copy by e-mailing info@childnet-int.org.

[1] Comment from a 15 year old UK girl interviewed in Childnet’s research.