INTERNET : 55 MN EURO PROGRAMME TO MAKE SURFING SAFER FOR CHILDREN.

The Council adopted, on 9 December 2008, a new EU programme to stem child pornography, violence and harassment on the internet for 2009-2013. The programme has a budget of 55 million, 10 million more than in 2005-2008. The European Parliament approved the programme, on 23 October.

The aims of the Safer Internet Programme are to raise public awareness of the risks run by children, who are increasingly connected to internet (48% of the budget). These risks include a technique used frequently by child abusers, known as grooming': an adult establishes a friendly relationship' with a child for purposes of sexual abuse. Another 34% of the budget will be earmarked to fight such illegal content and tackle harmful conduct; 10% will promote a safer online environment and 8% the creation of a knowledge base on trends in the use of new technologies and their consequences on children.

According to a Eurobarometer poll, 75% of children...