The first attempt at a law introducing an opt-in system to protect children from being bombarded by online pornography has been launched in the House of Lords.
A Private Member’s Bill has been introduced by Baroness Howe with the backing of Christian charity, Care.
The Bill would require internet service providers and mobile phone operators to block internet porn, unless a customer aged 18 or over asks to have access to such content.
Protection
A Private Member’s Bill rarely becomes law unless the Government gets behind it.
MP Claire Perry, who recently convened a cross-party enquiry into online child safety, said she was pleased the issue was being raised.
She said: “The Howe Bill addresses very effectively one of the greatest challenges for UK parents today, protecting children online. It is a timely and important piece of legislation that I hope will have a big impact.”
Technology
Nola Leach, Care chief executive, said, “at the very least, Internet Service Providers and Mobile Phone Operators should provide a service which empowers customers to make decisions about what sort of content they don’t want on their home broadband or mobile phones”.
She continued: “The Bill is a key milestone in the battle to secure a safe online environment for our children”.
Research shows that a third of children have seen hardcore pornography online by the age of ten.
Safeguards
In February the Premier Christian Media Trust and SaferMedia called on the Government to change the law so that ISPs would be forced to introduce appropriate safeguards. They also believed an opt-in service was the way to proceed.
Peter Kerridge, chief executive of Premier Christian Media Trust, said the measure would give adults the choice to access pornography whilst giving children the freedom to surf the internet safely.