Technology giants tackle dangers children face on the internet

Dec 1, 2011, 12:54 GMT

Brussels - Leading technology companies have joined forces to explore ways to make the internet safer for children, the European Commission announced on Thursday.

The 28 firms involved so far include the likes of Apple, Deutsche Telekom, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Nokia. They intent to find ways to implement age-appropriate privacy settings, rate website content and enhance parental controls, among other things.

'This new coalition should provide both children and parents with transparent and consistent protection tools to make the most of the online world,' Neelie Kroes, the EU's digital agenda commissioner, said in a statement.

European children on average start using the internet at the age of 7, according to commission statistics. Many sign up on social networking websites despite age restrictions, raising concerns about their exposure to sexual predators, among other things.

The new coalition is expected to start delivering results 'over the next 18 months,' a commission spokesman said.

The EU's executive, which is also involved in the efforts, said it believes that 'solutions developed by the founding members of the coalition will be embraced by a growing number of companies.'