The Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) has said government proposals that require ISPs to block porn-based websites will not be feasible.
Nicholas Lansman, the secretary general of the ISPA, said: "blocking lawful pornography content... will lead to the blocking of access to legitimate content and is only effective in preventing inadvertent access".
"Online safety is a priority issue for the internet industry and ISPA will be discussing the options available to protect children with government."
Lansman added the ISPA firmly believes that controls on children's access to the internet should be managed by parents and carers with the tools ISPs provide, rather than being imposed top-down.
Culture minister Ed Vaizey revealed yesterday is to meet with ISPs including Virgin Media, TalkTalk and BT "in the near future" to discuss the plans.
"This is a very serious matter. I think it is very important that it's the ISPs that some up with solutions to protect children," Vaizey told The Sunday Times.
"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."
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) confirmed Vaizey intends to dicuss the plans with ISPs. However, he added: “there is no confirmed date yet and we are currently in the process of setting this up”.
The proposals, which follow moves by UK ISPs to block access to all websites containing child pornography images, also include the ability to 'opt in', which means web users will have to request access to specific sex-related sites.
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Comments received
Dragonfly said on Tue, 21 Dec 2010
It would require a little co-operation on the part of browser developers, ISPs, possibly hardware manufacturers and content providers as well as a bit of forward planning but I'm sure it wouldn't be unfeasible. That's like saying it's unfeasible to offer online banking. (is that too close to rhyming slang :-) )
Xhris2210 said on Tue, 21 Dec 2010
Children should be encouraged into more wholesome activities.
Like war games, ninja assassination creeds, gangsta fights and of course suicide sites.
How come pron is the number one priority? What a sick society we have.
Xhris2210 said on Tue, 21 Dec 2010
I'm not promoting porn per se - it appears I can't even spell it... isn't it time for an eddyt button?
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