In conjunction with the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and the 25th anniversary of the web, the British Library is giving the public a chance to shape a ‘Magna Carta for the digital age’.
The ‘Magna Carta for the digital age’ will be shaped by voting for My Digital Rights clauses generated by school students from around the world.
The clauses were the result of over 3000 10 to 18 year olds taking part in debates and workshops to consider a range of digital topics from cyberbullying to surveillance, with the students then writing their own ‘clauses’ in response.
Over 500 clauses have been received by the British Library from schoolchildren relating to freedom, privacy and access. From today the public can vote on their favourite clauses and on Monday 15 June, Magna Carta Day, the Library will publish the results in the form of a ‘Magna Carta for the digital age’.
The shortlisted clauses reveal a marked concern about safety and security online from the participating school children, with a clear lean towards students wanting to feel safe and protected online, with curbs to cyberbullying. Some even call for ‘cyber police’ to protect the Web.
The clauses from students, which are now all available to agree or disagree with via the My Digital Rights website, include ideas such as:
– The web we want will be safe and secure and have the ability to block and report malicious activities
– The web we want will allow freedom of speech but discourage bullying
– The web we want will not let companies pay to control it, and not let governments restrict our right to information
– The web we want will be private and not allow the government to see what we do online
– The web we want will be untraceable to strangers
– The web we want will be protective of all people
– The web we want will be a human right
Supporting the Library’s Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy exhibition, the project seeks to encourage young people to think about the issues of freedom and control raised by Magna Carta in the context of the digital age.
Launched with BBC Radio 1 earlier this year as part of the BBC’s Taking Liberties season, the project has been jointly conceived by the British Library, World Wide Web Foundation, Southbank Centre and British Council.
"Prompted by the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the My Digital Rights project has provoked lively and timely discussions in classrooms around the UK and beyond," says Roly Keating, Chief Executive of the British Library.
"The results provide a fascinating perspective on how young people feel and talk about their lives on the internet."
Professor Sir David Omand, former Director of GCHQ, said: "The online world offers both opportunities and risks and Web users need to understand the importance of balancing security with privacy and freedom of expression.
"As we enter an increasingly digital age, it is crucial that young people are aware of and engage in an informed debate about their rights and responsibilities when it comes to protecting our liberties."
