I wish to propose the following model for a gTLD:
The
domain would be dedicated presenting content suitable for children, the extension
being ".kid".
Special features of the domainA TLD administration committee
would be appointed with the following powers and duties:
i. Provide and update
as necessary, guide-lines on the type of content which is suitable for children.
Act to encourage a minimisation of bias (gender, race, country and creed).
ii.
Actively police the whole domain.
iii. Ensure links are can only be freely made
to other ".kid" second level domains. External links would only be permitted with
the agreement of the .kid administration committee.
iv. Collate non-personal data
as required for the invoicing of domain name holders.
v. Suspend or permanently
terminate registration of a domain at any time in the event of serious breaches of
the code of practice.
vi. Vet its own membership for evidence of undue influence
from any second level domain name holders or other conflicts of interest. Committee
members might also be required to make a public declaration of any interests in specified
areas such as non-mutual share holdings, directorships, browser producers or charities
which might benefit from surpluses (see below).
vii. Reserve second level domains
which would act as the basis for non-english third level domains which were language
(rather than country) determined. Where appropriate, control of three character non-english
translations of .kid might given to the committee.
All second level .kid
domain name holders would be:
i. Required to pay an annual service charge which
would fund the policing effort*.
ii. Required to instigate high quality firewalls
on their servers.
iii. Required to provide high level security on data collected
from site visitors.
iv. Act to minimize the possibility of EXCESSIVE (ie as a
proportion of total available disposable income) expenditure by children without
the knowledge of parents.
v. Exclude any reference to non- .kid sites in their
content unless agreed with the TLD administration committee
vi. Present proof
of (annual) insurance to protect against claims arising from failure to properly
administer the site and/or maintain security.
vii. Required to declare any influence
which they may have in relation to member on the committee
* The annual charge
might comprise the following components:
i. A flat rate fee.
ii. A variable
(pro-rata) component related to levels of visitor traffic (non-personal data only
would be available to the TLD administration executive)
iii. Possibly a variable
component related to banded levels of turnover on the sites.
iv. An upper
level would be set annually for policing and all other expenditures.
Annual
financial surpluses would be donated to children's charities.
Paul Mc Crory
[ e-mail pvmmc@yahoo.com ]