Government rejects automatic internet porn block

Ministers have rejected calls for an automatic pornography block for all internet service providers, saying it might prevent youngsters finding “helpful information on sexual health”.

The Government released its response to a consultation on internet controls on Saturday.

It said an “opt-in” system could cause “over-blocking”, preventing access to websites which provide helpful information on sexual health or ‘sexual identity’.

Harmful

The report said filtering could create a “false sense of security” as not all harmful content is blocked, and it might not encourage parents to learn about keeping their children safe online.

But commentator Melanie Phillips has said this is strange reasoning.

She said: “What a bizarre argument that because controls would not stop every single undesirable activity it is not worth having any control at all!”

Automatic

Ministers felt there was “no great appetite” among parents for an automatic porn block.

The consultation found that 35 per cent of parents were in favour, while the majority of parents said they were responsible for protecting their children from harmful content online.

The Government is now urging internet service providers (ISPs) to automatically prompt parents to tailor filters to prevent access to harmful and inappropriate content.

Controls

They also want ISPs to check that the person setting up the parental controls is over the age of 18.

MP Claire Perry handed in a petition with more than 110,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street, calling for an automatic porn block.

She said she was “obviously disappointed that the opt-in option has been rejected” but added: “Clearly that was not the preferred choice of the 3,500 people who responded to the consultation and we have to base policy on what’s been received not what we want.”

She said she was pleased ISPs would have to actively encourage and prompt parents to switch on filters which will block adult sites to children and verify the age of the person setting up the controls.

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