Safe Internet environment for children:

Chinese, British researchers to enhance cooperation

CHINA: Internet researchers from China and Britain agreed at a forum in Beijing Thursday to enhance cooperation on maintaining a safe Internet environment for children.

The second China-U.K. Internet Roundtable-conference was held from Wednesday to Thursday. The participants of the conference believed that the two governments and Internet enterprises from the two countries should work together to deal with the challenges brought about by online dangers to children.

They agreed it was necessary to strengthen the protection of young netizens from unhealthy information online, such as pornographic material or exposure to online predators.

Malcolm Hutty, head of public affairs of London Internet Exchange Ltd. said that there should be a "partnership approach" between government, parents and children's organizations responsible for advancing the rights for children. Hutty said the government should create new protective laws.

"There is a big role for Internet industry ... in raising the awareness and providing ... educational messages about how to protect children," Hutty said. Beijing, Friday, Xinhua