XVIII PAN AMERICAN CHILD CONGRESS
INTER-AMERICAN SPECIALIZED CONFERENCE

Buenos Aires, Argentina, September, 22-25, 1999


Español

IIN/RES. 3 (XVIII-99)
INTERNET LITERACY FOR YOUNG PERSONS 

(Resolution approved at the first Plenary Session of Friday June 9th, 2000, during the 75th Ordinary Meeting of the IIN's Directing Council. Ottawa, Canada, June 7-9, 2000) 

THE XVIII PAN AMERICAN CHILD CONGRESS,  

GIVEN that children and young people’s safety can be jeopardized by exposure to individuals on the Internet who wish to sexually exploit or harm them, such as: 

  •         individuals who transmit pornographic images of children through the Internet

  •         pedophiles who stalk children through the Internet

            GIVEN that there is easy access to adult-oriented, inappropriate or illegal materials through the Internet, including: 

  •       organizations and individuals promoting hate, propaganda or violence

  •       pornography

  •       terrorism, bomb-making

  •       gambling

  •       alcohol and tobacco sites

            GIVEN that the rights of privacy for children can be violated by: 

  •     disclosure of personally identifiable information in online chat rooms, message boards, news groups and on Web sites

  •     personal information collected from children on Web sites

  •     distribution and selling of personal information by Web sites to third parties

  •     the lack of privacy policy statements on many Web sites

GIVEN the difficulties verifying and authenticating information and distinguishing fact from opinion on the Internet 

GIVEN that commercial Web sites can manipulate children by: 

  •     seamlessly blending information, entertainment and advertising content

  •     fostering interactivity between consumers and advertisements 

GIVEN that a global consensus on regulation of Internet content is unlikely;

RESOLVE Governments encourage Ministries and Departments of Education, NGO´s and other authorities to create and implement Internet education curricula that address Internet issues affecting children and young people.