Cyber bullying and other internet threats have become a serious problem, plaguing every corner of the world, including Korea.

To address it, the British Foreign Office is hosting the London Conference to launch a focused and inclusive dialogue among key cyberspace netizens from around the world.

“I hope many Korean internet users will take this opportunity, as the solutions to these challenges do not lie in the hands of governments alone,” said British Ambassador Martin Uden.

The underlying question is how to protect and preserve the tremendous opportunities that the development of cyberspace offers and how to guard against criminal and security threats, without suffocating future innovation.

The number of Internet users has grown from 16 million in 1995 to nearly 2 billion today, more than half of whom are in developing countries.

The rapid development of a globally networked world offers enormous social and economic opportunities.

But it also brings challenges and threats. There are criminals that seek to abuse it and repressive governments that use it to prevent access to information or restrict privacy and freedom of expression.

Netizens in Korea will be able to participate in the conference that runs from Nov. 1-2 in London, by submitting questions and views on the future of cyberspace. Some of those submitted will be put to the delegates during the course of the conference.

The London Cyber Conference website address is www.fco.gov.uk/en/global-issues/london-conference-cyberspace, or follow it on Twitter at @LondonCyber or #LondonCyber.

The conference will focus on five key themes: Economic growth and development, social benefits, cyber crime, safe and reliable access and international security.

The ideas and proposals which emerge from the conference will be developed into the “London Agenda,” a plan to help realize the full potential of cyberspace.

By Yoav Cerralbo 

(yoav@heraldcorp.com)