The impact of online sexual content on children is of great concern.  Research suggests that as many as one in three under-tens have seen online pornography and only 3% of pornographic websites require proof of age before granting access to sexually explicit material.

For many of today’s children, their first introduction to the adult world of sex and sexuality is pornography; a very poor sex educator. This exposure will inevitably shape their sexual lives and affect future relationships.

Far from being harmless, we are seeing evidence that children’s consumption of pornography is affecting their development: seventeen year old boys describing body hair on girls their age as disgusting, teenage girls reporting pressure to engage in risky and uncomfortable sexual practices and teenagers’ surprisingly tolerant attitude to violence in relationships.[i] [ii]

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However, only 55% of parents block or filter websites for their children which means that shocking and degrading pornographic material is the default option in British homes.[iii]

Following public pressure, as well as that of groups and charities including Mediawatch-UK, and an Independent Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Child Protection, the government announced a public consultation into the best way to protect children online.

However, the consultation was launched in the summer for a shorter period than usual making it likely that many parents and other interested parties would miss it.  The Depart of Education website was also intimidating with the requirement for users to download, save and upload their responses.

 

To help the public have their say quickly and easily we developed a new website, www.Safeonline.org.uk, in collaboration with the charity The Children & Families Media Education Trust.

 

 

Safeonline.org.uk was designed as a one-stop-shop where users could find facts about the issues, links to key resources and an online response form with some handy hints all in the same place.

 

We understand that in excess of two thousand people responded to the consultation and we are proud that over one third of these responses came via Safeonline.org.uk; 800 responses which may not otherwise have been submitted.

Following the consultation, Safeonline.org.uk was updated with sources of information which we hope will prove useful to those looking for information on how best to protect children online.

If you would like more information on how to protect your child at home, click the button below.

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