EU Agreement to Limit Mobile Internet Access for Minors

Signalling the telecoms industry's move towards self-regulation the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) has signed to the European Framework for Safer Mobile Use by Younger Teenagers and Children.

The Framework has been developed by European mobile providers, content providers, child protection agencies with support from MEF, to ensure safer use of mobiles by younger teenagers and children. Viviane Reding, Information Society and Media Commissioner, presided over the signing ceremony.

Signing the European Framework on behalf of MEF, Gerard Grech, MEF Europe Interim Chair and Strategy and Business Development Director, Content Division, Orange stated: "As a global trade association, our members' services collectively touch almost every person in the EU. We have a responsibility to work closely with regulators, consumer protection agencies and consumers to promote the safety of younger teenagers and children using mobile services. MEF is committed to developing national self-regulatory Codes consistent with the Framework to ensure the safer use of mobiles."

Patrick Parodi, Chair of MEF Global and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Amobee said that "MEF is keen to encourage the development of innovative, sustainable business models and to promote the cross-border delivery of diverse mobile content services. We encourage all stakeholders in the mobile value chain to support safer mobile use and will regularly review child safety standards in cooperation with European and national stakeholders."

MEF is working towards the implementation of this common European framework through self-regulation at a national level in EU Member States in time to meet a review in February 2008."

Posted to the site on 6th February 2007