"Helping parents and their children get the best from new technologies while protecting children from inappropriate or potentially harmful material is crucial in today’s fast moving world. That’s why, as a clinical psychologist with many years of experience working with children, young people and their families, I am very pleased to have been asked by the Government to conduct such an important review. The internet and video games have huge potential for children’s play and learning. Parents welcome the benefits technologies can bring but they also want their children to be safe and many have concerns about what their children may come across online or whether the videogames they are using are appropriate.

I hope to identify measures that help all parents feel confident that their children are using these great new opportunities in a way that’s appropriate for their age and development. As part of my clinical experience I have had contact with very vulnerable and at risk children and young people, who can be more affected by harmful or inappropriate material in games or on-line. But I do not propose to focus the work of this review solely on those most extreme cases. 

This review is about pulling together the shared responsibility we have as parents, society, government and industry to protect our children and young people from harm.  I will be engaging with all the people who have a role in this, in direct conversations with the industry and through focus groups with parents, children and young people. I will also be issuing a call for evidence in early October so that everyone with an interest will have the opportunity to contribute to the review and ensure that my conclusions are based on robust evidence and informed opinions. My final report is due at the end of March 2008."

Notes to Editors

All media enquiries should go to the Department for Children, Schools & Families Press office on 020 7925 6789.

If you would like to send comments to the review please use the following email address: Byron.Review@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk

Update 9 October 2007

Dr. Tanya Byron has launched a "call for evidence". More information can be found on The Department for Children, Schools & Families press release

More information on the review can be found on the Byron Review's website