23 July 2013

Govt Should Follow UK Lead on Blocking Porn

Family First NZ is calling on the government to join the UK in having pornography blocked by their internet provider unless they specifically choose to receive it. The announcement was made by UK Prime Minister David Cameron overnight.

“Mr Cameron correctly asserted that access to online pornography was ‘corroding childhood’,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“Strong protections around the internet through filtering are a great investment to protect families as internet usage becomes more and more common in NZ homes. The internet should not be left unregulated when it comes to the protection of children. Often, parents are simply unaware of what their children can access, may stumble across, or may intentionally be viewing.”

“Because of the availability, affordability, and anonymity of the internet, we must put as many safeguards in place as possible – and sooner rather than later.”

Mr Cameron said family-friendly filters would be automatically selected for all new customers by the end of the year - although they could choose to switch them off. And millions of existing computer users would be contacted by their internet providers and told they must decide whether to use or not use "family-friendly filters" to restrict adult material.

“We must do all we can to block websites that feature child pornography, bestiality, sexual violence against women, and detailed instruction of crime and drug use,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“While parents can take as many precautions as possible, including purchasing computer security products and supervising their children’s internet use, the UK government is not leaving anything to chance and is being proactive in the protection of children and families,” says Mr McCoskrie.

In 2011, the Department of Internal Affairs marked a dubious milestone in blocking half a million attempts by internet users in New Zealand to access child sex websites.

Family First is calling on the NZ government to follow the UK precedent and urgently provide similar protection and information to kiwi families.

ENDS

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