Ofcoms consumer panel calls for greater interest in childrens issues

Ofcom should take a greater interest in children’s issues according to the organisation’s own advisors. Colette Bowe, chairman of the body’s consumer panel, has called for a dedicated children’s panel to look at a range of issues.

In a letter to Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards, Bowe says that an increased focus on children was important because of their vulnerability as users of new technology.

She adds: “We believe that Ofcom should create a children’s panel to provide a strategic overview of all Ofcom’s work that is currently undertaken in relation to children’s issues, which relate to access, protection and parental responsibility.”

The consumer panel, which aims to provide a voice for consumers in the communications market, says that Ofcom’s other priorities should be ensuring that broadband speeds are correctly advertised and that the benefits of higher internet speeds are available to everyone in society.