ISPA acknowledges the publication of the Bailey Report on commercialisation and sexualisation of children and welcomes that the report tries to find a balanced approach between encouraging responsible behaviour and proactive protection.
ISPA recognises that parents continue to be concerned that their children are particularly vulnerable when online. Internet safety is a priority issue for ISPs who continue to listen to their customers’ and we welcome that the report acknowledges that “industry already does much to help educate parents about parental controls, age-restriction and content filters”.
ISPA believes the most effective way to control children and young people’s access to content on the Internet is through the education of parents and the use of device-based parental control software and most ISPs already offer parental control solutions as part of their service. However, the report is correct in highlighting that “parents need to be actively responsible for the safety of their children and take an ongoing interest in their use of the internet”.
ISPs actively promote their parental control solutions and ISPA, as a member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), will explore how best to give parents a choice about whether filters should be switched on or off. ISPA is also holding a meeting in Parliament on the 20th June to discuss the issue of parental controls and children's access to inappropriate content online.
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Notes to the editor:
The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) was established in 1995 as a trade association to represent providers of Internet services in the UK. ISPA promotes competition, self-regulation and the development of the Internet industry. For a list of members or other information about ISPA, please consult the website: www.ispa.org.uk
The views expressed in this release are those of the Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) and do not necessarily reflect the corporate policies of the individual companies that are members of the Association or other organisations that may be mentioned in the release. For further editorial information please contact the ISPA Press Office (020 7340 8741).