52% of those polled would prefer ‘opt-in’ internet filters; but 35% keen on a default web porn block
Just over half of the British adults who responded to our online poll feel that internet filters that block internet pornography should only be used if users request them, while just over a third would prefer a web filter to be enforced as default.
The results coincide with the Government's recent proposal that Internet Service Providers should offer a filtering service that would automatically block pornographic sites on home computers.
- 52% of respondents said that someone’s Internet should only be filtered if they specifically set it to be
- While 35% think that people’s internet service should be filtered by default unless they request that filters be turned off
In an attempt to address concerns over children's access to pornography, Prime Minister David Cameron has recently announced that the Government will be consulting Internet Service Providers on methods to improve online child protection, including a system whereby filters on adult material would be set as default.
Anyone wanting to access such content would have to actively ‘opt out’ through their internet service provider.
Opposition from service providers
Overall, though, while agreeing that minors must be protected from negative influences on the internet, the technology community has expressed disapproval of the new default filtration proposals.
Almost half of those asked believe that internet providers largely disapprove of a default filter service because it is not in the companies' financial interests to block a service that they are providing.
Just a quarter said that companies are reluctant simply because they oppose the principle of censoring the net, or have doubts over a potential block's effectiveness.
- 47% think most internet providers are currently opposed to the introduction of an out-out filter because it is not in their financial interest to filter the internet services they provide
- 24% think it is because they oppose the principle of censoring the internet
- 9% say it is because they think that any filters would not be effective and would be easy for people to work around
Savvy kids and the role of parents?
According to the ISPA - the industry body representing large online companies such as Google and Yahoo ‒ says that the proposal is unrealistic, as a combination of web-savvy kids and resourceful pornography sites would render a network-level block ineffective.
In addition, it is argued that by relying on default filters it runs the risk of lulling parents into a false sense of security.
Supporters of a default block acknowledge that it would not be an instant solution, but still insist that anything that decreases the threat posed to children by explicit pornography should be embraced. Jon Brown, head of strategy and development at the NSPCC has conceded that young people who want to access porn will always find ways to do so, but with parental supervision absent in some circumstances, he says it can’t hurt to have another inhibitor.
“Parents of course have a role to play and responsibility … the reality is that some of our more vulnerable children are going to be in situations where… that scrutiny isn't in place," said Brown.
Meanwhile, internet provider TalkTalk has just announced that it will be offering parents a blanket opt-out on pornography sites, with their 'HomeSafe' filter service, which blocks web pages dealing with pornography, suicide, gambling, dating and drugs.
Customers are now being asked whether they want the controls on or off.
