Google MUST block access to illegal and ‘disgusting’ porn, says coalition of children’s charities. John Carr, the British government’s adviser on internet safety and secretary of the charity coalition, said the Daily Mail was right to highlight the problem.[The Society for Promotion of Community Standards Inc., a New Zealand registered charity, agrees wholeheartedly with the position taken by John Carr, the Daily Mail and the Coalition].
See: Daily Mail On line Article. By Sean Poultier, Consumer Affairs Editor. 26 May 2013 (link below).
- Charities want blocking software and on-screen warnings to deny access
- Group include NSPCC, Barnado’s, Action for Children, Children’s Society
- Comes after investigation by Mail columnist Amanda Platell into the issue
- Was prompted into action by case of Stuart Hazell, killer of Tia Sharpe, 12
- Child pornography had fuelled his murderous fantasies
Charities have demanded urgent action to prevent access to illegal and ‘disgusting’ child pornography via Google and other web browsers.
A coalition of organisations is arguing for the introduction of blocking software and on-screen warnings to deny internet users access to the material.
The group includes the NSPCC, Barnado’s, Action for Children, BAAF, Beat Bullying, Children England, Children’s Society, ECPAT UK, Kidscape, and Stop It Now.
Their call follows revelations in the Daily Mail on Saturday about the ease of finding video and photos of the sexual exploitation of young girls.
The investigation by Mail columnist Amanda Platell was prompted by the case of Stuart Hazell, killer of 12-year-old Tia Sharp, whose murderous fantasies were fuelled by online child pornography.
But the group, the UK Children’s Charities’ Coalition on Internet Safety, questioned if firms like Google have the will to take action.
John Carr, government adviser on internet safety and secretary of the charity coalition, said the Mail was right to highlight the problem.
‘Google can do more and should do more,’ he said. ‘For example, whenever someone puts in a search that clearly indicates they are looking for child pornographic material, Google could flash up a warning.
‘It could say “You are trying to reach child pornographic material. This is illegal and if you persist there is a chance of arrest and prosecution”.’ Google’s web browser has three levels of filtering – ‘unfiltered’, ‘moderate’ and ‘safe’.
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