INDIE made the following brief submission to the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group, convened by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and chaired by Dr Brian O’Neill of DIT:
Submission:
The Irish Network for Digital Inclusion and Engagement (INDIE) is a group of representatives from the NGO, CVC (Community, Voluntary and Charitable Organisations) and educational sectors, and we seek to inform government at a policy level and to pursue measurable and practical solutions to digital inclusion and digital engagement across Ireland. As a network, we provide a platform for collaboration and sharing best practices and resources for those involved in digital inclusion, and we promote a unified voice for this agenda.
We note the terms of reference for the Advisory Group, particularly to advise government on what “the most appropriate relationship should be between ISPs, online service providers, the State and citizens in relation to internet content that may be age-inappropriate and to bullying and harassment online.” INDIE welcomes the focus on safe and appropriate Internet usage, particularly by those under the age of 18. However, as we pursue goals of digital inclusion, and as hitherto excluded citizens of all ages become Internet active, the risk profile for such persons must be considered.
INDIE fully supports the aspiration expressed in the Advisory Group’s Terms of Reference in relation to “(t)he need to preserve the free and open nature of the internet, and to preserve freedom of speech and freedom of access to information online.” With that in mind, the widespread promotion and development of personal digital competence offers the best insurance to individuals in respect of their safe, secure, confident and competent use of the Internet and digital technologies and platforms for life, leisure and work.
With that in mind, the Advisory Group is urged to include in its deliberations and recommendations reference to the development, promotion and assessment of a Framework for Digital Competence, relevant to citizens of all ages, taking account of work being undertaken at a pan-European level in this regard, for example, work currently being undertaken by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre IPTS (Institute for Prospective Technological Studies) to map such a Framework for Digital Competence, see http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=6359 and assessment instruments, appropriate to different age groups and competence levels. The work of the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), specifically the Workshop on ICT Skills may also be relevant http://www.cen.eu/work/areas/ict/eeducation/pages/ws-ict-skills.aspx
