New curbs on access to internet porn

Measures to help parents monitor their children’s access to inappropriate web content have been announced by the government. Following June’s publication of the Bailey review into the sexualisation of childhood, moves are now being made to implement some of its recommendations.

Major internet service providers (ISPs) such as BT and Virgin have decided to change their procedures so that when new customers sign-up to their services, they will be unable to progress with accessing content until they have made a decision to activate parental controls over content.

In a joint statement, the providers said: “The set-up process for new broadband customers now automatically requires people to choose to have parental controls ‘on’ or ‘off’ when following set-up instructions on the CD issued to them.

“So they’re forced to make a choice, they can’t just sidestep and continue the set-up process without doing one or the other. That is all that is new. We are also sending reminders to existing customers about considering these controls.”

Previously the choice of whether or not to control adult content could be made at any point following sign-up when adult content may already have been accessed.

Internet summit

David Cameron and Children’s Minister Sarah Teather are also hosting a summit with representatives of media and family organisations at Downing Street to further push the recommendations of the Bailey review, which was conducted by the head of the Christian Mother’s Union organisation, Reg Bailey.

Companies such as Primark and Mumsnet, as well as the Advertising Standards Authority, are attending. In April, Primark was one of the companies highlighted in the Channel 4 documentary Stop Pimping Our Kids, which showed the chain selling clothes the programme claimed transformed youngsters into sexualised mini-adults.

Mumsnet co-founder Justine Roberts said: “Parents know the responsibility for their childrens’ online safety rests with them, but they could do with a a bit of help from industry and government. Products that make it easier for parents to protect from things like hardcore porn and extreme violence things that no-one would think was appropriate viewing are not the only solution but they are a welcome part of the mix.”

Ahead of the summit, David Cameron said: “We must do more, so today I call on businesses and industry to go further, and in the new year I will again review progress because I am determined we are really making changes that support parents and protect our children.”