

JerseyOIC
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@JerseyOic
Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner








The Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel held a Public Hearing into the protections children have from online harms this morning with the Information Commissioner, Paul Vane. Among the topics discussed were: • Resourcing: The Panel heard that the Office of the Information Commissioner would not have the staff or resources to manage a possible increase in work relating to online harm for children. Mr Vane added that any additional work would require a 'significant resource injection'. • Legislative changes: The Panel received evidence that any strategies or law changes need to focus on the principles of what is trying to be achieved to ensure they are future-proofed and adaptable against changing technologies, with clear, enforceable mechanisms to protect against online harms. • Collaborative working: Mr Vane told the Panel that any legislative changes be brought with extensive collaboration, including with young people who often recognise dangers facing them online quicker than adults. He added that fighting big tech and social media companies is often 'futile' and that they need to be included in any discussions to ensure compliance. The Panel also heard that working with non-EU jurisdictions, particularly the USA, can be complex and difficult. Panel chair, Deputy Catherine Curtis, said: "We were concerned that there appears to be great difficulty in ensuring Age-13 consent, where children under the age of 13 require parental permission to access certain content, is being applied appropriately. While we understand this is difficult to monitor it does raise serious questions about how large tech companies block children from accessing harmful content online. 'The Panel also noted that Mr Vane said that while the recently announced mobile phone ban in schools was a positive step, it would be wrong to suggest that will resolve the problem and that further action is required to ensure tech providers play their part in protection children online. 'We will be closely monitoring any Government legislative changes that come forward, and we hope that Mr Vane's comments regarding collaborative working, ensuring a clear definition of what constitutes online harm and future-proofing the law to adapt to changing technologies are taken on board.' The Hearing can be watched back on our website: bit.ly/4kiSPit and on YouTube: bit.ly/4lJ3DI0



























