Tory MP calls for 'PCC of the net'

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Tory MP calls for 'PCC of the net'

Conservative MP Hugo Swire has called for a Press Complaints Commission-style regulator to be set up to protect young people on the internet.

Swire, who proposed the plans in a debate on protecting children from internet content at the House of Commons last night, argued that a new regulatory body was needed to "replace the current piecemeal and kneejerk codes of conduct and self regulation".

The former shadow secretary for culture, media and sport said the spate of suicides in Bridgend, which some have attempted to blame on social networking websites, meant it was important to set up an online regulatory body.

"I do not believe we can remove all risk to children, but I think we can make the UK a safer place online in what seems to be an increasingly dangerous world for our children," Swire said.

"I will recommend an 'Internet Standards Authority' is set up to fight illegal and harmful content, promote a safer environment and raise awareness."

He argued that one of the problems was that the government has eight departments, including the DCMS, Home Office, Department of Health, Foreign Office and Cabinet Office, that all have some responsibility for internet content.

The solution, said Swire, is to establish a "lead" government department and develop a "co-regulatory structure" for the internet, bringing together parties including law enforcement agencies, government, charities and parents.

"This could work like the Advertising Standards Authority or the Press Complaints Commission," he added.

"It would set the parameters for ISPs to filter internet content for children, making it safe for them to surf," Swire said. "I believe internet messages such as those on alcohol advertising and all internet ready platforms carry pre-installed internet filters."

Harmful content would include content where "cultural, taste and decency judgments" have to be made.

The proposed ISA would "build a dynamic filter" and create a "blacklist database", according to Swire.

ISPs would then offer two choices to households and schools in the way they access content. One for adults, which would require a pin code or "some such protective device", and one for children.

Swire said that South Korea was one country that had successfully implemented an ISP regulatory system.

Filtering could also happen directly at the level of individual computers and while some companies, such as AOL, offered filtering technology there had been low uptake, he added.

"An ISA would be more responsive to new internet trends and lighter on its feet than Government legislation," he said. "Internet playgrounds should be supervised in the same way as physical parks used to be supervised."







Mark Sweney
Thursday February 7 2008
guardian.co.uk
© Guardian News and Media Limited 2008
 
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