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Access to internet porn and “adult” websites is coming one step closer to being automatically barred from view by internet providers, as the government continues to look into potential ‘opt-in’ measures.
The theory is that users will have to actively ask to view adult material instead of users being offered the choice to use their own parental control system. Ministers are suggesting several ideas which are being put out for consultation on how to shield children from pornography.
Porn isn’t the only target as websites promoting suicide, anorexia, and self-harm are also is targeted by the investigation.
Of the three proposed methods the first is an opt-in type of service, where all adult content would be filtered as standard, with users having to contact their Internet service provider if they wish to view it.
Alternatively the second option will involve users being asked whether they wish to view adult content when they connect a specific device to the Internet, so if you want your tablet to be locked from adult sites but your laptop or mobile phone to be unlocked, you can do this when you initially connect your network.
Finally, the third is a mash up of the first two options, which ministers are calling “Active Choice”. This option will basically block adult content as standard and users will be given a choice to unblock sites as and when they choose.
The issue of adult content filters has been bandied about for many years with three government parties now vying to “clean up” our internet use by various filtering methods, but until now access to ‘harmful materials’ has gone unchecked.
Children’s minister Tim Loughton has stated that “We have always been clear we would turn up the heat on industry if it did not make fast enough progress,” but was clear that no such filtering service can never be “100 per cent fool proof” and that “There can never be any substitute for parents taking responsibility for how, when and where their children use the Internet.”
As per usual there is a huge issue here of what is censorship and whether the suggested policies invade our rights to information, so we can be sure that any filtering systems will be a long way off and are already heavily scrutinised.
The consultation will last for 10 weeks, after which the views will be discussed by parliament before any new legislation is created.
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
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