"Opt-in" Model for Internet Porn

Parliamentary Inquiry Concludes: ISPs must do more to keep children safe

The final report of a cross-party Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Child Protection is published today. The panel of MPs concluded that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the Government need to do more to keep children safe online.

The Inquiry recommended that:

• The Government initiate a formal review of an Opt-In filter to access adult material on the internet;
• The Government should press for accelerated implementation plans for "Active Choice"; the content filtering system proposed for new internet customers by the largest ISPs;
• Within 12 months, ISPs should roll out "single account" network filters that provide one-click filtering for all devices connected to the same internet account;
• A single regulator should take lead responsibility on internet safety;
• Public Wi-Fi networks should have a default adult-content bar;
• Government and industry should draw up new guidelines to publicise existing safety settings on computers and internet-enabled devices;
• ISPs should provide more support and signposting for internet safety education.

Commenting, Claire Perry, the MP for the Devizes Constituency who chaired the Independent Inquiry said:

"Our Inquiry found that many children are easily accessing internet pornography as well as other websites showing extreme violence or promoting self-harm and anorexia. This is hugely worrying. While parents should be responsible for their children's online safety, in practice people find it difficult to put content filters on the plethora of internet-enabled devices in their homes, plus families lack the right information and education on internet safety. It's time that Britain's Internet Service Providers, who make more than £3 billion a year from selling internet access services, took on more of the responsibility to keep children safe, and the Government needs to send a strong message that this is what we all expect".

To see a copy of the report, please click here.

Claire Perry welcomes No. 10 lead on an "Opt-In" Consultation

Claire Perry, MP for the Devizes Constituency, who chaired the Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Child Protection welcomed the news that the Prime Minster will launch a consultation into child protection on the internet which will include a formal review of "Opt-In" access to adult content.

Commenting, Claire said:

"I am delighted that the Prime Minister is once again showing his commitment to protecting our children online. Our Report made a number of key recommendations, including asking the Government to lead a formal consultation into Opt-In filtering of adult content and the whole team is really pleased that our work has paid off. We know that families across Britain will welcome this news."

Debate in the House of Commons - 23/11/11

Claire Perry, MP for the Devizes Constituency led a debate in the House of Commons, on the 23rd November, calling for a change in regulations to require all UK-based Internet Service Providers to restrict universal access to pornographic content by implementing an opt-in system that requires verification that a user is over 18 for access to such material.

To read the debate in full including the Minister's response click here.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Claire said:

"As a mother with three children I know how difficult it is to keep children from seeing inappropriate material on the Internet. We already successfully regulate British TV channels, cinema screens, high street hoardings and newsagent shelves to stop children seeing inappropriate images and mobile phone companies are able to restrict access to adult material so why should the Internet be any different? British Internet Service Providers should share the responsibility to keep our children safe so I am calling for ISP's to offer an "Opt In" system that uses age verification to access pornographic material"

House of Commons Adjournment debate - Regulation of internet access to pornography (November 24, 2010)

Notes:

A recent study reported that one in three children aged ten have viewed pornography on the internet, while four in every five children aged 14 to 16 admitted to regularly accessing explicit photographs and footage on their home computers[1].According to the Office of National Statistics 73% of British households now have access to the Internet[2] while Ofcom reports that 99 per cent of 12-15 year olds, 93 per cent of 8-11 year olds, and 75 per cent of 5-7 year olds use the Internet regularly. 12 per cent of 8-11 year olds and 31 per cent of 12-15 year olds have internet access in their bedrooms[3].There is a growing body of evidence on the effects of sexually explicit material and attitudes towards sex such as respect for women and understanding of sex as related to love[4].

The top six UK ISP providers (all UK based) account for over 90% of market share[5] and there are already clear guidelines from Ofcom as to what constitutes adult sexual content[6] The mobile phones industry has adopted a self-regulatory model using an "adult bar" to restrict access to inappropriate content[7]

[1] Psychologies Magazine, July 2010
[2] ONS - Internet Access, August 2010
[3] Ofcom, March 2010
[4] Safer Children in a Digital World: The Report of the Byron Review 2008 pg 51
[5] House of Commons Library, September 2010
[6] Ofcom: UK code of practice for the self-regulation of new forms of content on mobiles, August 2008
[7] Ibid 

Interview with Claire on BBC Wiltshire - Safer Internet Day

On the 8th February I was interviewed by BBC Wiltshire to talk further about my campaign for an "opt-in" system to internet pornography as well as talk about Safer Internet Day, organised by InSafe. The day is intended to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world. It is a day which is commemorated through over 500 events in 65 countries all over the world and one which carries extra relevance considering the ongoing debate surrounding my campaign.

For more information on Safer Internet Day visit: http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/safer-internet-day

Claire appears on Woman's Hour to talk about her campaign 

On Monday the 7th February I appeared on Woman's Hour to talk about the campaign for an "opt-in" system on internet pornography along with Mike Galvin, Managing Director of Research and Technology for BT and a board member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS). It was a lively and interesting debate;    one which I believe helped to raise more awareness of the issue and clarified the proposals that I am suggesting.

To listen to the broadcast, visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00y5hth 

Claire's Article in The Daily Telegraph about her campaign for a default "opt-in" filter on internet pornography

On the 10th February The Daily Telegraph published a piece I wrote on internet pornography, further detailing my proposals for ISPs to develop a home network level "opt-in" filter for internet porn as a default setting. I also highlighted the findings from a YouGov survey, including the statistic that only half of parents use the client device filters we are supposed to install to block pornographic images. The growing media interest, accompanied with the Government's support, is propelling this issue further onto the national agenda and I am encouraged by the support I have received from my constituents and the general public.

To read the article, visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8314648/Internet-porn-regulation-could-be-the-only-answer.html

BBC Panorama interviews Claire Perry MP about her campaign for an "Opt in Model" for accessing internet pornography

On Monday 10th January, Claire Perry, MP for the Devizes Constituency will appear on current affairs documentary programme, BBC Panorama. The programme "Too Much Too Young" examines the growing concern about the sexualisation of children in the UK. Claire was asked to talk about her campaign for an opt-in system for accessing pornography on the internet which would require all UK-based Internet Service Providers to restrict universal access to pornographic content by implementing an opt-in system that requires verification that a user is over 18 for access to such material.

Speaking ahead of the BBC's Panorama's broadcast tonight, Claire said:

"I am pleased that BBC Panorama has decided to examine the growing concerns relating to childhood sexualisation. As a mother with three children I know how difficult it is to keep children from seeing inappropriate material on the Internet. We already successfully regulate British TV channels, cinema screens, high street hoardings and newsagent shelves to stop children seeing inappropriate images and mobile phone companies are able to restrict access to adult material so why should the Internet be any different? British Internet Service Providers should share the responsibility to keep our children safe so I am calling for ISPs to offer an "Opt In" system that uses age verification to access pornographic material."

To watch 'Panorama: Too Much Too Young' click here

The Sunday Times covers Claire Perry's campaign for an opt-in system to protect children accessing internet pornography
The Sunday Times' front page and magazine cover story featured the issue of children's access to pornography and the debate in the House of Commons led by Claire Perry MP about an opt-in system that requires verification that a user is over 18 for access to pornographic material.

For The Sunday Times Magazine article click here.

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