The ISPCC is delighted to welcome the announcement that Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten will be appointing a Digital Safety Commissioner this year.
Children’s online safety is the child protection issue of our time. The ISPCC has been to the fore of championing the need for a Digital Safety Commissioner since it was first mooted in the Law Reform Commission’s report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety in 2016.
The gap in leadership in the area of cyber safety has been well documented by the ISPCC. An Office of Digital Safety Commissioner will play a major role across education and awareness, monitoring areas of law reform and supporting industry. Minister Naughten is to be commended on making the decision to move forward with this.
Grainia Long, CEO of the ISPCC said “We are very pleased that the voices of children and young people are being heard, and that their safety is being taken seriously. The appointment of a Digital Safety Commissioner is a key part of the action required to keep children safe online, and the other measures needed include law reform, education measures and enhanced regulation of industry.
“The ISPCC is looking forward to participating in the upcoming Open Policy Debate on Online Content in March to be hosted by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment with the input of other departments, and in playing a role in devising a comprehensive strategy to keep children safe online.”
