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Home Office

Answer

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government's policy is on policing unsuitable material on the Internet; and what legislation is in place to enable it to do so. [19718] Beverley Hughes: The Government's policy is that legislation should apply to illegal material online in the same way as it applies offline, and that legislation should be technology neutral. Legislation is kept under constant review to ensure it remains effective both offline and online. The wider issue of unsuitable material on the Internet-- material that is not illegal but is open to subjective interpretation, such as adult material--is one that the Government is addressing together with industry and industry bodies to ensure that consumers are able to manage their own Internet experience. Informed users can install Internet rating and filtering software on their computers and make choices between full Internet access and selective or `walled garden' access. To help inform parents about these choices the Government have published a booklet "Keeping your child safe on the Internet". The advice is also available online at www.wiseuptothenet.co.uk.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

376 c231W;376 c232W; 19718

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Children Legislation Internet Protection Publications Pornography Regulation

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk