Internet Safety For Kids

Transcription

1 Protecting the family online Independent research and report

2 2 Introduction In April 2012, the findings of an Independent Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Child Protection, looking into the impact of the internet on children under the age of 16, were published. The background to this Inquiry and the resultant report and recommendations, have led to a widespread call for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to either self-regulate and provide filters, or for the government itself to step in and regulate the industry as a whole. While it is not Claranet Soho s position to comment on this legislative process, it has commissioned independent research to identify just how important this issue is for parents in the UK and what, if anything, parents are actively looking for with respect to the provision of internet services in the domestic environment. In the introduction to its report, the Independent Parliamentary Inquiry makes clear the background to the issue: With no central point of management or control of the internet at global, regional or national level, and millions of new websites emerging every year, many in the internet industry suggest that it is easier to tackle the problem of children seeing undesirable content by using filters installed on individual computers so-called device level filters rather than blocking content at a network level. It goes on to say: Many feel that device-level filters are no longer offering sufficient protection for children online. Only a minority of parents use these filters and this number is falling. An explosion in the number of internet-enabled devices makes the process of individual device protection even more arduous. Children spend increasing amounts of time online, are often more tech savvy and knowledgeable than their parents and know how to circumvent or avoid device filters. The Parliamentary Inquiry, headed by Claire Perry MP, included a proposal for a formal consultation on the introduction of an opt-in network-level filtering system for all internet accounts. The default setting for pornography would be off, and it would be restored only after strict age verification for those over 18. This therefore is not censorship, despite howls of protest from some quarters about freedom of speech, and offers the best protection for children.

3 3 Network-level filters are particularly important as most parents are just not up-to-speed with the pace of technological change or the type of hardcore, violent and abusive material their children can now access. With the best will in the world, many parents struggle to install device-level filters and are lagging behind their tech-savvy children. The problem is only likely to get worse with the proliferation of the latest must-have smartphones being used by children. To-date, TalkTalk is the only ISP which is delivering a package that filters at the network level, although the default is automatically on and parents would still have to opt to block pornographic content. TalkTalk has also recently decided to extend this service to all its existing customers, not just its new customers, as is the case with the other large ISPs such as BT, Virgin Media and Sky. The four largest ISPs have developed a new Code of Conduct and have agreed to implement new Active Choice controls, where the consumer must actively choose whether to install device-level filters as part of the account set up process. However, this will not take place until October Childsafe Claranet Soho has taken this one step further with the launch of its new service Childsafe - the only network-level internet security system on the market today that requires no technical or installation knowledge. Unlike systems from other providers, Childsafe subscribers can choose exactly what services or content are allowed, safe in the knowledge that everyone in the home will be protected from websites, chat-rooms or other unwanted internet services. Furthermore, it is the only service that also offers comprehensive protection against viruses, worms, phishing attacks or spyware. Prior to the launch of Childsafe, Claranet Soho commissioned its own market research into the concerns of parents about internet security in the home and the solutions they were looking for. Censuswide conducted the research in June 2012, with a sample size of 1,000 parents with children under the age of 16, the results of which follow.

4 4 Research findings 1 - Do you think Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should provide better support for internet safety and initiatives? 10.1% 89.9% YES NO ISPs act as a gateway between consumers and the internet and it is clear that parents believe that providers should share responsibility for protecting under-age consumers from accessing inappropriate content. While parents should be responsible for monitoring their children s internet safety, in practice this is not consistently happening. Parents often find device filters difficult to install and maintain, and lack internet safety education or up-to-date information. 2 - Do you have any internet controls at home to protect your child when they are online? 10.1% 20.3% 26.3% 53.4% 89.9% YES NO CHILDREN DO NOT GO ONLINE Many parents report feeling left behind in the world of technology and that they often lack the knowledge or skills to educate their children about internet safety. There are opportunities available to improve knowledge but this tends to be fragmented and ineffective.

5 5 3 - When your child is online, what are your biggest concerns? 6% 76.6% 65.9% 60.8% 47.4% Viewing explicit content (pornography or violence) Meetings strangers Giving out personal details (personal address) Cyber bullying Not concerned Our findings mirror the concerns of the Independent Inquiry, which concluded that easy access to online pornography is having a negative impact on attitudes to sex, relationships and body image. Other concerns raised by the Independent Parliamentary Inquiry include the rise of cyber bullying, extreme violence, self-harm, suicide and pro-anorexia websites. Lack of control can also open-up the home computer to phishing attacks and the potential issue of piracy, be that film, music or software. 4 - Do you think the government should have legal powers to intervene should the ISPs fail to implement an appropriate solution? 15.7% 84.3% YES NO Our findings are emphatic. The overwhelming majority of parents believe that the government should seek backstop legal provisions to intervene should the industry as a whole fail to self-regulate.

6 6 Childsafe Childsafe is one of the easiest and safest ways to keep your family protected online. It is a network-level internet security system that requires no installation or technical knowledge. Childsafe subscribers can choose exactly what services and content are allowed, safe in the knowledge that everyone in the home will be protected from any undesirable websites, chat rooms or other unwanted internet services. Protection is also provided against viruses, worms, phishing attacks and spyware. A significant advantage of Childsafe is that it allows parents who are less technically skilled to have confidence that their home internet connection is protected. This is done through channels created by a Claranet Guardian chosen by the subscriber, who recommends the approved content. This means that a single, non-technical decision is all that is required to have a safe home internet. Features: No installation or technical knowledge required. Subscribers can choose an organisation they trust to provide a safe, appropriate channel. Sites can be blocked or unblocked in a simple, secure manner. Automatic protection against viruses, malware, phishing and worms. Protect internet chat, video calls, file-sharing and social networking ; not just basic websites. Protects PCs, laptops and WiFi-enabled mobile devices which are connecting to the protected internet service. Over 140 categories are available for those requiring even more control. Over 450 million categorised URLs, covering 6 billion web pages in 200 languages, are checked. An ongoing review of the URL list ensures new blocked sites are added and that the list is kept up-to-date.