New legislation is being put forward to bolster islanders’ abilities to get illegal content removed from social media, websites and search engines in the wake of a review of how Jersey protects children against potential harm online.
A public consultation is due to start in January inviting feedback on the plans, which also seek to “enhance online privacy”.
This would involve enabling islanders to request the removal of content where they can be recognised – but where it has been uploaded without their consent – that “causes them harm, distress or reputational damage”.
It is important that we make swift, as well as effective, progress in response to a fast-moving technological and regulatory environment
ministerial response to online harms review
The government has stated that the proposed legislation has two main objectives.
“Firstly, it will make it easier for people in Jersey to get illegal content removed from social media, websites, and search engines.
“Secondly, it looks to strengthen online privacy by clearly defining what can or cannot be uploaded and without permission where it causes harm, distress or reputational damage.”
The proposals form part of work being highlighted by ministers in response to a review by the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, which found that Jersey’s online-safety system is “fragmented” and “lacking an overarching framework”.
The panel concluded that children in Jersey “do not have the same protections as those in the UK, Ireland, and the rest of Europe”.
In response, the Council of Ministers said it had a “clear and firm commitment to safeguarding children from online harms” and that it has been “continuing with its work to deliver on this commitment”.
In addition to the new legislation being developed, the response also highlighted educational and awareness initiatives including an NSPCC safeguarding campaign as well as a new “online guidance hub” for digital safety.
A new digital safeguarding and technology use policy has also been published for use across schools and colleges, which the government has said compliments the recently introduced guidance on the use of mobile phones in schools.
Ministers are also working with local internet service providers to “explore opportunities to innovate and work together to keep young islanders safe online”.
“Ministers welcome the work of the Children, Education and Home Affairs Panels report on this important policy area,” the government response stated.
“It is a compelling and constructive contribution. Our response to the report seeks to highlight the work which is underway or has been completed across multiple departments.
“Ministers also welcome the report highlighting additional areas of work, to which Ministers are responding positively.
“Fundamentally, the Council of Ministers believes that all States Members strongly agree that it is important that we make swift, as well as effective, progress in response to a
fast-moving technological and regulatory environment.
“The public can be assured of our commitment to work with all States Members to achieve this.”