Government and ISPs discuss network-wide porn ban
By Nicole Kobie
Posted on 8 Feb 2011 at 16:45
The Government has discussed TalkTalk's network security system as one possibility to keep children from accessing internet porn.
Late last year, MP Clare Perry and Culture Minister Ed Vaizey mooted the idea of blocking pornographic material from the UK side of the internet.
To find out if it was even possible, the minister met with ISPs and child-safety groups for a private debate. "During the meeting Claire Perry repeated her call for ISPs to filter pornography at the network level, which users would then have to opt out of," said Nicholas Lansman, secretary-general of the Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA).
One of the options discussed was TalkTalk's network-level security system, currently being trialled by the ISP. Dubbed StalkStalk by privacy campaigners, the system looks at the websites TalkTalk users visit, scanning them for malware. When a user tries to visit a site, the system checks first if it's on the security blacklist.
A TalkTalk spokeswoman said the network security system had indeed been referenced by Perry, but would give no other detail about the talks or what advice it intended to give the Government.
BT said it had also considered such a system. "BT continues to evolve its child-protection offering and is also evaluating network-based parental controls," a BT spokeswoman said. "However, at this time these controls can’t match the functionality offered by PC-based parental-control software.”
Education and parental controls
Instead, the majority of ISPs seem to favour existing control software and educating parents. "ISPs spoke about some of the safety tools and initiatives they already offered their customers, and the on-going work of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety," Lansman said.
Virgin Media and BT both stressed they already have software to help parents control what sites their children can see. BT said it would ensure all parents were informed how to use such systems when they signed up for service, and be reminded annually.
“We recognise that BT and the ISP industry can and should do more to promote protection software and help parents enable children to get the best out of the internet, whilst managing the risks," a BT spokeswoman said.
No decisions were made at the roundtable, and ISPs have been asked to submit their ideas on how best to manage the issue to the Government. A spokesman for the DCMS said there was no deadline for submissions, but expected to have results within the next few months.
“Parents are responsible for monitoring their children's online activities but they must have the tools to be able to protect their children,” Vaizey said. “More needs to be done to help parents protect their children and the roundtable was a useful first step.”
From around the web
If I'm not a child do I have to have all this stuff?
By steviesteveo12 on 8 Feb 2011 
Parents do have the tools. They're called "eyeballs" and "the off switch".
By Mosher on 8 Feb 2011
"Think of the children, won't someone please think of the children!"
Shame the parents don't think of the children. Yes Mr Vaizey, please help us we need an electronic nanny to stop us from doing anything - just in case it might be socially unacceptable. I really think this country has gone completely mad
By everton2004 on 8 Feb 2011
The top shelf
In the 'good old days' when porn was magazines and videotapes, children would not be able to buy it as the shopkeeper was the 'age filter'. Surely in 2011 the ISPs need to fill the same role.
Yes of course parents should take responsibility, but the truth is many are not technically capable or just can't be bothered.
If the idea of young children watching hard-core porn doesn't bother you then maybe the 'mad' label should be applied elsewhere.
By Stiggy on 9 Feb 2011
@Stiggy
Oh great so parents can't be bothered to raise their children correctly so the state has to do it for them. So depressing!
Even accepting this filtering is not a perfect solution. As anyone who manages spam filters knows the pornographers always find ways round.
Not only that but I regularly find good emails blocked as spam. My guess is the netfilter will block lots of legal sites and because its not controlled by the user they won't be able to unblock them.
By cyberindie on 9 Feb 2011
@Stiggy
In the "good old days" kids shoplifted porn mags and swapped porn on VHS. Clearly you are as clueless as this MP.
Trying to "ban" this from the internet is a plausible as vetting the content of every private garage on the planet.
Block a site? They'll use anther. Filter content? They encrypt packets.
Heard of picture encryption? (try Google) You could view a picture of the the pope that also contained an encrypted nude photo. How do proposed to police that?
No, this is simply a moronic PR exercise with no basis is reality. Just a chance for MP's to congratulate themselves and ISPs to levy additional charges. "For our own good".
By cheysuli on 9 Feb 2011
And next?
Once a system is in place, how long before it's extended to control access to political, religious, or other sites that might "corrupt" our children? (Not that I have any children that need protecting.)
By seagull on 9 Feb 2011
The real reason
I agree with Seagull and even wonder if a possible use of 'extended controls' had not occured to the men in suits. Although I too have no children, I do have lots of young nieces and nephews, but I still think it is up to parents to control the online activities of their off-spring by using their eyes, ears and authority to police their chidren directly. Or if they really cannot be bothered to practice parenting, and as BT and Virgin state, tools are available to do it for them.
By Niadra on 10 Feb 2011
@cheysuli - I consider 'clueless' to be a personal attack, if you don't mind.
Of course any system can be circumvented, but that doesn't mean you stop trying. Back to the original analogy; the shopkeeper doesn't start selling porn to 7-year-olds because they might steal it!
There are lots of sensible safeguards in place for other media:
The 9pm watershed for TV.
Mobile carriers have an 'over 18' opt in for sites viewed by phone.
Cinema/DVD ratings.
Are all these unacceptable too?
By Stiggy on 10 Feb 2011
where does one start
From garages to supermarkets magazines and newspapers are visible with not only images of unclothed people but also with headlines in bold print designed to attract attention.
Soap operas and children's programmes(Torchwood) have homosexuality as key storey lines along with murders rapes and domestic violence,still waiting for the incest though.
With that in mind where does on-line porn fit in,at what level does one prevent young peoples access to it ?
Sex is used to sell many things and its up front and in our every day lives.
Understand that,educate youngsters about companionable relationships and love and set them up for a good life.Dont just ban something because you,the Government,are unable to tell parents that they should be responsible for the children they created and nurture.
By UK_Snapper on 10 Feb 2011
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