A TASKFORCE will be set up to strategise how children can be protected against the dangers of the Internet.
To be co-chaired by the deputy secretaries from two ministries - information, communications and the arts, and education - it will co-ordinate national efforts involving government agencies, the community and the industry.
It will also get more resources, promised Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday to respond to the report of the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (Aims), Dr Lee said the taskforce would get funds to support 'new initiatives and programmes for cyber wellness'.
Chaired by media veteran Cheong Yip Seng, Aims had earlier recommended that a co-ordinating agency be set up to reduce duplication, as it develops strategies against dangers such as cyber-bullies, Web addiction and harmful content.
The taskforce will leverage on existing efforts especially those by the Internat and Media Advisory Committee, said Dr Lee.
These include public education and technical solutions, like content filters.
One of them - the Family Access Network - should be given free, with the $2 to $3 monthly charges borne by the Government and the industry, Aims had recommended.
But in its response, the Government said many broadband subscribers get it free. Moreover, as free filtering software is available, 'it would be more beneficial if parents themselves were to exercise responsibility and download such software for the protection of their children'.
However, the Infocomm Development Authority will explore the possibility of including filters for needy students getting free broadband subscription, it added. Meanwhile, an existing symbolic ban on 100 websites will stay.
There continues to be merit in it, as it is 'a symbolic statement of our society's core values', said the Government.
However, it will be reviewed when 'the culture and practice of cyber wellness is firmly entrenched'.
