The ethical responsibility for the content and quality of information rests with content providers themselves and therefore must be discussed with users in a detailed manner. The Industry should be encouraged to develop filtering and blocking technologies to empower parents, teachers, and others to block content that is inappropriate for children. The current convergence of the market should be monitored carefully in order to anticipate anti-competitive behaviour on the supplier side through timely regulation. Action must be taken to avoid creating market conditions which will lead to the monopolisation of the Information Society by some players in the game. Consumer protection and regulation based upon an effective consultation process There is clearly a need for a European framework within which each National Governments will be able to formulate regulation adapted to national priorities.
Regulation is absolutely fundamental to creating lasting confidence among users.
Self-regulation should, where appropriate, be encouraged. It is critical that this process is coupled with the need for protection of the individual. Users and suppliers must become partners towards the same end. Simple co-existence is not enough one can not exists without the other. Transparency of the process is therefore the key.