Deputy Secretary General's contribution to the 6th Edition of the Safer Internet Day of the European Commission, 10 February 2009 The well-being and best interests of children on the Internet are of paramount importance for the Council of Europe. We believe that every effort should be made to protect and preserve their dignity, physical and moral integrity, security and privacy in online environments.

The Internet is a space with an enormous positive potential for children to communicate and to seek and impart information and ideas. Internet skills and literacy for children, parents and educators, are critical for the Internet to be used freely and safely by children. They enable them to participate actively in society, and can make informed choices when using the Internet services and technologies.

However, the Internet may also have dangers for children. This is why the Council of Europe works with its 47 member states and non-European countries to tackle all forms of misuse of internet – and make it safer for children to use.

The Council of Europe will also be acting on its 2008 Declaration to explore the feasibility of removing or deleting content and its traces - logs, records and processing - created by children because we are concerned by the profiling of information and the retention of personal data regarding children’s activities. To this end the Council of Europe works with businesses who provide Internet services, such as online games providers, software makers and Internet service providers. Furthermore, a Recommendation adopted by the Council of Europe on measures to promote the respect for freedom of expression and information with regard to Internet filters, contains detailed guidelines on the use and application of Internet filters to protect children online.

On the occasion of Safer Internet Day 2009, it is my privilege to launch the Council of Europe’s new online third edition of our Handbook on Internet Literacy, building on the success of our online game for children “Through the Wild Web Woods” which will soon be accompanied by teachers’ guidelines to explain internet safety and human rights to children.