Protection of Minors on the Online Space - Summaries
Background
The online space is a central arena of activity in the world of children and youth. They are active there for various needs, for increasing time, and from a younger age than in the past. The online space (Internet) provides children and youth opportunities to meet, communicate, and play, but also to harm and be harmed. Along with its inherent advantages, it holds many risks – including sexual abuse, bullying, and ostracism, disseminating pictures of a sexual nature without the consent of the person photographed, exposure to harmful materials, and more.
Harms and risks on the Internet
The risks inherent in the Internet are relevant to the entire population, but they increase concerning children and youth. The reasons for this include, among other things, the extensive use of the Internet by these age groups, the importance of social relationships at these ages and the centrality of social media in managing them, and emotional immaturity at these ages to contend with risks and harm.
The consequences of Internet abuse
Internet abuse of children and youth can have severe consequences, some of them long-term expressed socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. These include undermining self-confidence, increased risk of consuming drugs and alcohol, problems with studies and social frameworks, tension, stress, refraining from participating in social frameworks, and more.
Audit actions
From March to December 2021, the State Comptroller Office examined the protection of children and youth on the Internet regarding enforcement, treatment, education, and prevention. The examination was conducted at the National Child Online Protection Bureau – 105 Hotline (the National Bureau), the Ministry of Education, and the Israel Police (the police). Supplementary examinations were carried out at the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs (the Ministry of Welfare), the National Insurance Institute, and the Tzur Unit in the Israel Prison Service. Furthermore, a dialogue was held with non-profit associations, organizations, and experts. In addition, a meeting was held with representatives of the National Council of Students and Youth. A public participation process was carried out with parents and principals (below – the parent and principal surveys conducted by the Office of the State Comptroller).
This audit report contains two parts:
Part one – protection of minors in the online space – the national effort
Part two – the Ministry of Education's actions to prevent harm to students on the online space