Federal Government Introduces Bill to Expand Role of the Children’s e-Safety Commissioner
Thursday 16 March 2017 @ 12.23 p.m. | Legal Research
The Federal Government has introduced a Bill that will expand the role of the Children’s e-Safety Commissioner, to cover online safety generally. The role will be renamed to the e-Safety Commissioner, to reflect this expansion. The Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Bill 2017 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 9 February 2017.
Introducing the Bill into the House of Representatives, Mr Fletcher, the Minister for Urban Infrastructure, said:
“The bill amendments address feedback received by the government that adult members of the public are not aware that they can go to the Children's eSafety Commissioner for assistance with concerns around illegal or offensive online content, the sharing of intimate images without consent—commonly referred to as 'revenge porn'—or for general advice about how to manage technology risks and online safety.
There are already a broad range of existing functions performed by the commissioner that go beyond online safety for children. The commissioner has a wealth of expertise in technology use and in developing educational, promotional and community awareness programs on online safety for children for a wide range of audiences.
Expanding the commissioner's role and changing the name of the Children's eSafety Commissioner to the eSafety Commissioner will make it easier for the public to identify where they can seek assistance and advice in relation to a range of online safety issues, irrespective of age.”
Mr Fletcher noted that the Children’s e-Safety Commissioner had already expanded into other areas, for example with the launch of the eSafetyWomen website, which “offers a range of resources to help women manage technology risks and abuse by giving them the tools and information they need to encourage confidence and safety online.”
New Strategy for Older Australians
He also said that the Commissioner was already working with the Department of Social Services to develop a digital inclusion and online safety strategy for older Australians, that will include:
- The development of an overarching digital literacy and online safety strategy for older Australians;
- Delivering free or low-cost, one-on-one, face-to-face digital training and support to older Australians, including a helpline;
- One-off small grant funding to assist community organisations with the delivery of coaching or training and support to older Australians;
- A communications and marketing campaign to raise awareness among older Australians and their families of the benefits of connecting online and how to access support;
- A national digital portal to provide a one-stop shop for information, tools and training materials; National digital and smart device training materials and tools, including online safety and outreach train-the-trainer programs, for use by families, friends, peers and community organisations; and
- A seniors and schools intergenerational mentor program to bring school students and seniors (in aged-care facilities) together to promote relevance and usefulness of technology.
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Sources:
Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Bill 2017 (Cth), Explanatory Memorandum and Second Reading Speech - available on TimeBase's LawOne service
