UK Considering Automatic Web Filtering For Adult Content

Dupple writes with news that the British government is considering restrictions for ISPs that would block by default anything considered "adult content." From the article: "Ministers are suggesting that people should automatically be barred from accessing unsuitable adult material unless they actually choose to view it. It is one of several suggestions being put out for a consultation on how to shield children from pornography. Websites promoting suicide, anorexia and self-harm are also being targeted. The discussion paper asks for views on three broad options for the best approach to keeping children safe online, in a rapidly changing digital industry. ... The latest system, called 'active choice-plus,' is aimed at reaching a compromise. It would automatically block adult content, but would set users a question, along the lines of whether they want to change this to gain access to sites promoting pornography, violence and other adult-only themes. This is partly based on 'Nudge' theory, a U.S. concept which states that persuasion, rather than enforcement, can be an effective way of changing behavior."

Comments

I have an even simpler solution

[atomicxblue]

How about parents become engaged in their children's lives and be more aware of what websites their children visit? Simple! Problem solved!

Re:"active choice-plus"

[cornjones]

It really isn't that simple. I had always thought that it wouldn't be a problem, put the computer in the main room, not in the kids bedroom and there is at least passing oversight when my son is getting his allotted half hour of 'robots' (some nick jr game he likes). Even now, at 3, he can start to wander through the internet and has stumbled onto some inappropriate sites. Now, I do not beleive the gov't should step in here, but i do need a way to manage what he is seeing.

I see this 'parents should just parent' complaint a lot but any parent knows you can't be watching your kids all the time while we are running around trying to get dinner on the table and the myriad other things required to keep a house going.

Enter tablets and smart phones and communication enabled diapers. in 4-5 years, every one of these kids is giong to have a personalized internet device. This idea of a computer in the living room will be completely separate from his primary connection to the internet and I am going to need a way to manage that. My personal plan is to stick a proxy on our network and let it be clear that I have the logs so I will know if you do dumb things but that will only work until they get a little bit sophisticated. While I don't agree w/ gov't stepping in, I have yet to see a workable solution.