The Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott MP, and the Coalition have established an Online Safety Working group to assist parents, carers and teachers to better protect children and young people from risks associated with the internet and social media.
Alex Hawke MP, The Federal Member for Mitchell was sought out by Mr Abbott to join the working group which consists of nine Coalition members and Senators.
Alex Hawke has been a long term advocate of cyber-safety issues. Mr Hawke has been Deputy Chair of the Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety since 2010 which authored the ‘High-Wire Act: Cyber-Safety and the Young’ which made 22 critical recommendations to the government on this issue.
“Social Media and the Internet are evolving at an exponential rate,” Alex Hawke said. “This brings countless new opportunities for learning and development to young people. However, with this new technology there are dangers that need to be considered, especially for young people.
“The ease of access to illegal or inappropriate content and the use of social media as a forum for online bullying are an example of issues that need to be addressed.
“We are not interested in repeating Labor’s ill-conceived attempt to put a filter on the internet. The Coalition’s goal is to assist parents and teachers in their work of protecting children and preparing them for adulthood.
“This is to protect cyber-privacy. It’s not about trying to enforce cyber-censorship.”
Mr Hawke is calling on residents from the Mitchell electorate to have their say on this important issue.
“We have a lot of young families and young adults in the Mitchell electorate. I call on anybody who has an opinion or idea regarding online safety to contact my office and make their views known. Online safety is an issue which affects everyone in one way or another. It is important that everyone has an opportunity to have their say either by contacting my office or attending one of the Community Forums the Working Group will be holding.”
Click here to view the Terms of Reference.
If you would like to contact Mr Hawke to offer any comments or suggestions on Online Safety please contact the electorate office or alternatively you can add Alex Hawke as a friend on Facebook or follow AlexHawkeMP on Twitter.