MINISTERS are set to meet local telecoms companies next month to explore new ways of tackling online harms, amid mounting concern over how Jersey protects children in the digital world.
It comes after a major review by the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel found that Jersey lacks a comprehensive online safety strategy, and that the Island’s approach has fallen behind other jurisdictions.
Encompassing submissions from Islanders and a series of public hearings with experts, the review covered a wide range of topics – from the health implications of excessive mobile phone use to questions over why the government did not request a permissive extent clause to allow Jersey to opt in to the UK’s Online Safety Act.
The Act, which is being implemented by regulator Ofcom, seeks to place new responsibilities on social media companies and search services to prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content.
One of the concerns raised by the panel was Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel’s decision not to request that the UK legislation be extended to Jersey – in contrast to the approach of Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
They pointed out that this decision “was not recorded in a formal ministerial decision or shared with the Council of Ministers”.
The minister had previously told the panel that adopting the UK legislation would be “unworkable” and leave the Island relying on outside regulators.
Panel chair Deputy Catherine Curtis said that the “lack of process” around the decision meant there were “limited opportunities for democratic oversight and public accountability.”
The report contended that children in Jersey “do not have the same protections as those in the UK, Ireland, and the rest of Europe”.
One of the recommendations put forward by the panel was that the government should prioritise the development of a comprehensive online safety strategy, “with a particular emphasis on safeguarding children”.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the Economic Development Minister, Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat, Children’s Minister Richard Vibert and Education Minister Rob Ward said they welcomed the panel’s report.
The Ministers said they acknowledge the various concerns raised during the course of the review, “including the need for clearer protections against harmful online content, the role of education in building digital resilience, and the responsibilities of technology providers and social media platforms”.
While they pledged to provide a formal response to the panel’s recommendations at a later date, the Ministers said that “several steps” had already been taken to protect Islanders against online harms.
This includes the development of new legislation to help combat illegal content and create new offences around intimate image abuse, stalking and harassment, as well as the establishment of a cross-ministerial working group and education initiatives, they said.
Ministers also highlighted the restriction on mobile phone use during the school day for students up to Year 11 in government schools, introduced in September as part of a broader strategy to “reduce exposure to harmful content” and “promote healthier digital habits”.
“To further strengthen our collaborative approach, the government is convening a meeting with local telecommunications providers in December 2025 to further explore solutions to mitigate digital harms,” the statement added.
“This reflects our commitment to working in partnership with industry, parents and care providers, charities, and related organisations to support the protection of Jersey’s children and young people from online harms, and families in managing digital risks.”
