broadband news

Broadband safeguards being assessed

The Government is considering the implementation of a broadband safety scheme.

The measures would attach age ratings to broadband sites to protect children from viewing unsuitable material – in a similar fashion to recommended viewing ages on films.

The need for broadband safeguards has been raised by Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham. As reported by the BBC online, he said there was a need to protect children from harmful and offensive broadband internet material, such as clips of beheadings. He said such viewing was unacceptable and new standards of broadband decency were needed.

Mr Burnham, a father of three young children, told the BBC: “The internet is becoming a more and more pervasive entity in all our lives and yet the content standards online are not as clear as we've all been used in traditional media.”

He called for a debate on the need for clearer broadband signposting, in what he described as a “confusing world”, particularly for parents who are trying to ensure children do not view inappropriate material.

Concerns over children’s safety when surfing broadband have already led to calls from the NSPCC for computer manufacturers and retailers to install security to stop children finding violent or sexual broadband content, according to the BBC online.

A survey carried out by the children’s charity in October 2008, revealed three out of four children had been disturbed by images they had seen on broadband.

Video sharing broadband site YouTube is just one site which has been recently criticised by the Government for failure to thoroughly vet its content.

30/12/2008
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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