Submitted by crinadmin on
Intensive discussions on online child protection, internet governance and security issues, continued on the third day of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Rio, Brazil. Whilst workshops on these themes provide a valuable forum for exchange of technical information, the absence of links for dialogue between special interest groups represented at the IGF was identified by the many stakeholders present in Rio. In particular, it was felt that such dialogue was needed for putting in place a system that would ensure the protection of children online whilst still safeguarding freedom of expression. To address this need delegates met at an open forum at which they agreed to establish a Dynamic Coalition on Child Online Safety and Freedom of Expression in keeping with the spirit of the IGF multi-stakeholder structure. The Coalition aims to establish a constructive dialogue to address fundamental and practical issues impacting on both these complex and potentially contentious issues.