Net provider filters out illegal porn

Children stumbling into pornographic websites while doing their homework has prompted one of New Zealand's largest Internet providers to block access to illegal sites.

TelstraClear - which has more than 230,000 broadband customers - announced today that it has joined an Internal Affairs Department scheme to block websites dedicated to child pornography.

Users who try to access sites identified by Internal Affairs as hosting child porn may see a webpage telling them the site has been blocked and telling them to contact the department if they have any queries. The block takes effect today.

An Internal Affairs spokesman confirmed that a website filtering system that blocked sites providing child sexual abuse images was still being tested. As the system was refined, more providers would be invited to join.

Previous trials involving two smaller Internet providers processed six million website requests from customers, of which 3351 were blocked.

TelstraClear's head of corporate services, Mathew Bolland, said international research showed that children were accessing the Web younger and the average age of first Internet exposure to adult content was just 11. "The Internet is a marvellous resource and we want to ensure it is as safe a place as possible for children.

Statistics showed that up to 90 per cent of 8-to-16-year-olds had viewed adult content online, many while researching for homework.

Netsafe executive director Martin Cocker welcomed the introduction of the "clean feed" system, which he said would help prevent accidental exposure of illegal material.

"We are definitely keen for Internet service providers to embrace security and safety concerns, and to try to address them," he said. "But we certainly caution against technology-only approaches."

He urged Internet providers toward closer cooperation with law enforcement agencies that monitor cyberspace, such as customs, internal affairs and police. "What we want to see is ISPs working openly with them."

VIRTUAL PARENTING

Five ways to become an Internet parent:

* Talk with your child about their use of the Internet.

* Explore websites and technologies yourself.

* Restrict inappropriate content and consider parental controls such as filtering.

* Encourage open communication with your child.

* Be aware of the potential dangers and know where to report potentially illegal or inappropriate behaviour online.

Four ways to help protect your online child:

* Ensure your child keeps their profile and online friends private.

* Explain how to handle cyber- bullying.

* Ensure your child meets online friends for the first time in the company of a trusted adult.

* Make sure their mobile phone uses a PIN, so when lost or stolen it can't be used to auto- sign into their online profiles.

- © Fairfax NZ News