Protecting children and young people from dangerous or illegal content on the Internet has a long tradition at eco. Kira Pleschka is a consultant at the eco Complaints Office and reports in interview on the association’s 20-year long engagement with this topic and on its participation in the European Union-initiated Safer Internet Day.
Ms. Pleschka, why is eco taking part in the Safer Internet Day?
The issue of youth protection has long played an important role for eco. eco has been operating the eco Complaints Office for around 20 years. In addition to combating illegal Internet content, eco is also engaged in various national and international committees dealing with the subject of youth media protection.
As a partner of the German Safer Internet Center, we are also constantly striving to promote media literacy and awareness on the Internet. Which is why we are naturally also taking part in the European Union’s annual global action day for more security on the Internet.
What shape will the participation take in concrete terms?
This year, in conjunction with the Voluntary Self-Monitoring of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM), we have designed a fact sheet with the five most important tips for respectful use of the Internet, which will be published via the portal www.internet-beschwerdestelle.de – operated together with the FSM – as well as via our social media channels.
Under the banner of, “Living and learning in the digital world – with a concept”, the Cologne police force is organizing an information day for Internet users. As part of this day, I will be delivering a talk and presenting the work of the eco Complaints Office. eco’s Anti-Botnet Advisory Center (botfrei.de) will also be on site with an information stand.
How and where can parents and teachers “unburden” themselves of complaints concerning content that is harmful to young people?
Every Internet user can report possible illegal Internet content to us. The eco Complaints Office accepts complaints concerning all Internet services: websites, emails, data exchange services, chats, newsgroups and forums.
The legal experts at the eco Complaints Office then check whether the content reported is illegal and take appropriate measures to ensure that the content is removed from the Internet. In addition, criminal content is as a matter of course reported to the prosecution authorities.
Further information on the complaints procedure can be found here at eco Complaints Office.
In what other respects is the eco Complaints Office involved in the field of youth media protection?
With our “Expert Lunch, Youth Media Protection”, we offer an open forum approximately two to three times a year, where our association members who are active in the field of youth media protection can share experiences, receive current information, and enter into dialog with one another. The next meeting will take place on March 5 in the eco Capital Office in Berlin.
The eco Complaints Office also offers members and external companies the service of an external Youth Protection Officer. Further information on both offers can be found here on the eco website. In addition, we are always happy to respond to requests for consultancy support.
