5. Notes that network infrastructure such as fast broadband and internet connections are of particular importance and are preconditions for the development of CCIs in that they diminish location handicaps, and that technology is a vital driving force behind these industries; welcomes the actions envisaged to strengthen the role of CCIs as a catalyst for innovation and structural change under the ‘Innovation Union’ and ‘Digital Agenda for Europe’ flagship initiatives; emphasises the role of ICTs in CCIs and the ‘creative nexus’ between investment, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and trade, and invites the Commission and the Mem ...[+++]ber States to promote access to, and encourage the use of, new ICT technologies in the cultural and creative sector, to support broadband infrastructure and, once comprehensive basic broadband coverage has been attained in Europe, to provide rural areas too with adequate fast and ultra-fast networks and other forms of cost-effective internet connections, with a view to ensuring their balanced development in the long term;

2. Notes that the first and most tangible application of the technologies of the Internet of Things will take place in the sector of commerce, through the replacement of bar codes with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for all products; considers that, because of the qualitatively and quantitatively greater technological possibilities offered by the new technology as compared with the previous one, this transition can provide multiple benefits for manufacturers/producers, traders and consumers, chiefly through the improvement of service quality and fundamental changes to the supply and distribution chain;

63. Calls for the creation, in the interests of the defence of children's rights, of an adequate, effective and proportionate regulation system in dialogue with providers, the media (public and private television companies, advertisers, the press, video games, mobile telephone operators and the Internet) and industry, aimed, among other things, at prohibiting the broadcasting of harmful images and content (including cyber bullying) and the marketing of violent video games, which, by encouraging violence and sexism, may cause harm to children's physical and psychological development; points with concern, moreover, to the growing problem ...[+++]of MMS exchanges of pornographic or child-abuse related images; expresses its support for the Safer Internet plus Programme through the implementation of operational and technical measures, especially for the protection of children; within this framework, also calls on the Member States and Internet service providers, in collaboration with search engine companies and the police, to implement blocking technology to stop Internet users from accessing illegal sites related to child sexual abuse and prevent the public from accessing material depicting the sexual abuse of children;

63. Calls for the creation, in the interests of the defence of children's rights, of an adequate, effective and proportionate regulation system in dialogue with providers, the media (public and private TV companies, advertisers the press, video games, mobile telephones and the Internet) and industries, aimed, among other things, at prohibiting the broadcasting of harmful images and contents (including cyberbullying) and the marketing of violent video games, which, by encouraging violence and sexism, may cause harm to children's physical and psychological development; points with concern, moreover, to the growing problem of MMS exchanges ...[+++] of pornographic or child-abuse related images; expresses its support for the safer Internet programme relating to the implementation of operational and technical measures for the promotion of the safer use of the Internet, especially by children; within this framework, also calls on the Member States and Internet service providers, in collaboration with search engine companies and the police, to implement blocking technology to stop Internet users from accessing illegal sites related to child sexual abuse and prevent the public from accessing material depicting the sexual abuse of children;

In that respect, the Commission follows closely the ongoing debate in the US on ways to bar companies (Internet access and Internet service providers, providers of Internet technologies) from helping repressive regimes to restrict the free flow of information on the Internet.

They did not, in general, relate to matters concerned with the Internet – this new technology, which has come in at an enormous pace in the last few years; a new technology which has the ability to do good things but also the ability to do evil things.