It led to immediate calls for ‘more to be done’ to tackle the problem. With the internet now providing a virtual world where people can lose themselves for hours on end, there’s no denying this is a hugely significant topic and one that we should pay attention to. The present day reality is that it’s just far too easy for children to access content designed for adult viewing.
The devastating effects of pornography and explicit content on young minds, especially in informing their understanding of sexual norms and behaviours, is extremely well documented. Indeed, the Government has readily acknowledged the problem and David Cameron has been a keen champion of tougher internet regulations. His personal interest in the issue led to a voluntary agreement being struck with the four largest internet service providers (ISPs), meaning that if your internet is provided by BT, Sky, Virgin or TalkTalk, the search filters by default will be on, which means a degree of protection from adult content.
The problem, however, is that it is far too easy for the filters to be turned off because you are not required to prove your age when you do so, and while the top four ISPs cover the majority of the market, there are smaller internet providers with whom there is no voluntary agreement, leaving thousands of homes exposed. At CARE we think that’s a big problem and so that’s why CARE is supporting a brand new Online Safety Bill, tabled by Baroness Howe. Her Bill would make it mandatory for all internet service providers to provide a default on filters which could only be turned off if the individual could prove they were over the age of 18. The internet providers would use access to the voting register and other national databases to double check. At CARE, we think a robust age-verification is essential to providing adequate protection online.
The devastating effects of pornography and explicit content on young minds, especially in informing their understanding of sexual norms and behaviours, is extremely well documented.
One of the other key strengths of Baroness Howe’s Bill is that it will also create a requirement for ISPs and mobile phone operators to make information available about online safety. It would require schools to provide parents with education about online safety and the Government would also be under a duty to provide parents with information. This is a crucial part of her intended legislation. Education alerts people to the dangers that exist online and the need to be careful about what is accessed.
If you are a concerned parent or children’s group leader, we would encourage you to take advantage of the materials and information provided on our own website www.care.org.uk and through other groups such as the NSPCC and Internet Matters. But above all else, it is vital to pray for success for Baroness Howe in her latest attempt to introduce a law that we believe would make a significant contribution to internet safety. At CARE, our concern is for the rising generation. While the internet brings many wonderful opportunities, it would be wrong to turn a blind eye to the challenges and dangers that need to be faced up to.
(James Mildred, CARE's media officer)
