ISPs being urged to block pornographic websites

Whilst having broadband access can be hugely beneficial for our kids this technology can also put them at risk of accessing unsavoury or even dangerous websites, and ISPs are now being urged to automatically block pornographic websites.

Many kids have enjoyed huge benefits from having broadband access in their homes, and have been able to enjoy enhanced educational resources as well as social opportunities, entertainment, and more. However, in addition to providing kids with many opportunities the Internet can also result in giving our kids access to unsuitable or even dangerous websites such as pornography sites.

It has been reported that ministers are now calling upon major Internet service providers to automatically block pornography websites, and rather than parents having to block the sites themselves to stop their kids from accessing them they should set to an opt in basis for those that want to arrange access to these sites.

Communications Minister, Ed Vaizey, said: “This is a very serious matter. I think it is very important that it’s the ISPs that come up with solutions to protect children. I’m hoping they will get their acts together so that we don’t have to legislate, but we are keeping an eye on the situation and we will have a new communications bill in the next couple of years.”

The likes of BT and Virgin Media are amongst those that are being urged to block automatic access to pornographic websites, and one minister said that around sixty percent of nineteen year olds had found porn online but only fifteen percent of parents knew how to block access to such sites.

Do you believe that automatic blocking of unsuitable sites would be beneficial? Comment and let us know