LONDON - The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a new Safer Internet program, which aims to protect children from inappropriate content and cyberbullying through methods such as educational efforts.
The program also will research ways children use the Internet on computers and devices such as mobile phones.
Safer Internet 2009-2013, which will build upon the Safer Internet Plus program started in 2005, will have a budget of 55 million euros (about $83.7 million).
"As more and more European children and adolescents use online technologies at home or at school, they, their parents and their teachers need to be informed about the opportunities and risks they face," said European Commission President Jose Barroso.
The original Safer Internet program produced materials for schools and youth groups and coordinated the annual Safer Internet Day.
The project will add more concrete objectives, such as establishing national contact points to report illegal content, supporting groups that offer parents and children advice about safe Internet use, and creating a forum where best practices can be shared and debated.
