may be influenced by viewing pornography. However, there appears to be only limited empirical evidence that viewing pornography causes children and young people to engage in coercive, aggressive or violent sexual behaviour. A human rights-based approach to protection from harm online requires balancing of rights, with the children and young people themselves being included in discussions about appropriate protective measures. Current regulatory responses, such as the removal of prohibited content under the Online Content Scheme, and the requirement that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer information and make available (at cost) filters that parents can install, can help prevent some exposure. However, the Commission’s view is that the key to effective protection of children and young people from the adverse impacts of viewing pornographic content is education. This includes information and education about safety online, critical discussion of pornography as part of age-appropriate education about sex and healthy and respectful relationships, and human rights education. A package of educative measures covering these areas has the potential to significantly empower children and young people and their families, and provide them with the tools to minimise both the exposure to and the impact of pornographic online content. Recommendations The Australian Rights Commission recommends that: Recommendation 1: The Australian Government commission research about the experience of children and young people being exposed to or accessing pornography online. This research should include: the impacts of such content, options to limit exposure to such content by children and young people, and the most effective ways to support children and young people to manage the risks associated with exposure to pornographic content. Recommendation 2: The Australian Government promote educational resources for children, parents, teachers and schools about online safety, and fund the development of specific age-appropriate resources for children and young people about dealing with exposure to pornographic content online, informed by the findings of the research mentioned in recommendation 1. Recommendation 3: The Australian Government work with and territory governments to ensure critical discussion of pornography forms part of effective, age-appropriate education about healthy and respectful relationships and sex, delivered in schools, with parental support and reinforcement. Recommendation 4: The Australian Government commission the development of human rights resources for children and young people which encourage them to think about human rights in the online environment, and be aware of both their own rights and their responsibilities to respect the rights of others.
may be influenced by viewing pornography. However, there appears to be only limited empirical evidence that viewing pornography causes children and young people to engage in coercive, aggressive or violent sexual behaviour. A human rights-based approach to protection from harm online requires balancing of rights, with the children and young people themselves being included in discussions about appropriate protective measures. Current regulatory responses, such as the removal of prohibited content under the Online Content Scheme, and the requirement that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer information and make available (at cost) filters that parents can install, can help prevent some exposure. However, the Commission’s view is that the key to effective protection of children and young people from the adverse impacts of viewing pornographic content is education. This includes information and education about safety online, critical discussion of pornography as part of age-appropriate education about sex and healthy and respectful relationships, and human rights education. A package of educative measures covering these areas has the potential to significantly empower children and young people and their families, and provide them with the tools to minimise both the exposure to and the impact of pornographic online content. Recommendations The Australian Rights Commission recommends that: Recommendation 1: The Australian Government commission research about the experience of children and young people being exposed to or accessing pornography online. This research should include: the impacts of such content, options to limit exposure to such content by children and young people, and the most effective ways to support children and young people to manage the risks associated with exposure to pornographic content. Recommendation 2: The Australian Government promote educational resources for children, parents, teachers and schools about online safety, and fund the development of specific age-appropriate resources for children and young people about dealing with exposure to pornographic content online, informed by the findings of the research mentioned in recommendation 1. Recommendation 3: The Australian Government work with and territory governments to ensure critical discussion of pornography forms part of effective, age-appropriate education about healthy and respectful relationships and sex, delivered in schools, with parental support and reinforcement. Recommendation 4: The Australian Government commission the development of human rights resources for children and young people which encourage them to think about human rights in the online environment, and be aware of both their own rights and their responsibilities to respect the rights of others.