The paper is based on European Schoolnet´s Insight  and emapps   country reports on ICT in education and on information from researchers participating in the Insafe network. It is divided into six sections. The introduction considers the context of the study and sets out its purpose. The second section examines the current state of the art in online tools and services, in particular the growth of Web 2.0 and social networks. The risks are described in section three, followed by an outline of what the research tells us. Section five goes into detail about policies and good practices in European countries and the final section draws some conclusions and makes a series of recommendations to policy-makers.

The study finds that most but not all European countries have e-safety policies in place and take a leading role as regards to government intervention in this area. The picture for all countries is incomplete however, but in some, according to the information available (e. g. Latvia, Estonia, Czech Republic), no national framework for e-safety appears to exist.

Good practice in e-safety policies is characterised by the following measures:

• There is a drive to raise awareness about e-safety issues among stakeholders;
• Research is supported into the effects of ICT use;
• A framework for schools exists to plan their own rules for Internet safety; 
• There is a multi level agency approach;
• There is a coordinated approach by all stakeholders (e.g. industry, education, teacher unions, parents); 
• Media literacy is part of the (ICT) curriculum and assessment in schools; 
• Training is provided for teachers and students.

These measures underpin a strategic approach towards e-safety in schools and other educational institutions and allow a more coherent overall approach towards the subject.

Drawing on the initiatives and best practice examples highlighted in this study, we make six following recommendations for e-safety policies and practices and suggest how these measures could be implemented:

1. Develop integrated and co-ordinated national and regional e-safety policies;
2. Raise awareness about e-safety; 
3. Form partnerships, share responsibility, joint action and networking (national and international);
4. Provide guidance in the development of organisational policies and procedures;
5. Support research into the use and effects of ICT use of young people;
6. Incorporate media literacy as a constant component in the school curricula;

Full brief: http://insight.eun.org/shared/data/pdf/esafety_paper_final_april_2008.pdf