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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, radiocommunications, telecommunications and online content.
ACMA's responsibilities include
- promoting self-regulation and competition in the telecommunications industry, while protecting consumers and other users;
- fostering an environment in which electronic media respect community standards and responds to audience and user needs;
- managing access to the radiofrequency spectrum, including the broadcasting services bands;
- representing Australia's communications and broadcasting interests internationally.
ACMA and the internet
ACMA has a range of roles and responsibilities relating to the internet. It administers a scheme for dealing with content on the internet, enforces Australia's anti-spam law and can make rules about accessing the internet via premium mobile phone services.
The Australian scheme for dealing with content on the internet is established under Schedule 5 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The scheme is designed to address community concerns about offensive and illegal material on the internet and, in particular, to protect children from exposure to material that is unsuitable for them. It gives ACMA the following functions:
- investigation of complaints about internet content and internet gambling services;
- encouraging development of codes of practice for the internet industry, registering, and monitoring compliance with such codes;
- providing advice and information to the community about internet safety issues, especially those relating to children's use of the internet;
- undertaking research into internet usage issues and informing itself and the Minister of relevant trends;
- liaising with relevant overseas bodies.
ACMA is currently working with the internet industry and the community advisory body NetAlert to address community concerns, including the protection of children from exposure to internet content that is unsuitable for them.
For more information about the regulatory scheme see the ACMA Internet area.
About this site
Cybersmart Kids Online is a community awareness project developed by ACMA with the objective of providing parents and children with information and tools to help them have a rewarding, productive and safe experience of the internet.
Each of the cool sites we link to has been selected in accordance with the following criteria:
- it is primarily made for children or young people under the age of 18, and is appropriate to the various stages of a child's development;
- it is well produced, with content of a high quality;
- it is entertaining or has educational merit;
- it is relevant to Australian children;
- it contains no more than a low level of commercial content.
If you wish ACMA to consider a link to your site, please contact us on cybersmartkids@acma.gov.au.