Watchdog starts filtering move

As the battle over Internet access in libraries heats up in the US between upholders of freedom of information and 'net nannies', in the UK steps are being taken towards filtering sites by the joint industry-government self regulatory body, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).

IWF is working with other national watchdog organisations to establish an international rating system for legal material which would allow users to avoid seeing - or allowing their children to access - anything on the Net they would personally find unsuitable.

IWF is holding meetings with representatives from European and Australian bodies, and the Recreational Software Advisory Council, the leading body for content rating in the US. It intends to consult widely with the public, although the working group has so far suggested categories of content under which users could choose to filter what comes on to their screens. These cover traditional concerns such as sex, nudity, bad language and violence. But IWF also suggests categories such as intolerance and 'potentially harmful subjects like drugs or suicide'.

Mark Stephens, chair of IWF Policy Board, says: 'The proposals fit into a wider global effort to flag up content of potential concern to parents... without censorship. We are most anxious to have comments from Internet users and the public at large.'

More than 2,000 items have been removed from UK service providers as a result of complaints to IWF's Net-watching hotline set up a year ago. The hotline deals with potentially illegal material only, which it advises service providers to remove and pass on to the police. The hotline was set up primarily to target child pornography on the Net.

The new rating system will address 'family friendly' use of the Internet, says IWF Chief Executive David Kerr. 'We intend to end up with something like the 'Blue Peter' rating - parents will be able to switch on filtering so that children can be left safely to access the Internet without an adult present.'

Meanwhile, NCH Action for Children has produced a guide for parents which emphasises the benefits the Internet can bring for children and also the measures which they can take, at present, to protect their children from harmful material.

Internet Watch Foundation: first annual report available at www.iwf.org.uk

Internet: opportunities and hazards. NCH Action for Children
(020 7704 7121).

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