The Internet
The Internet is a world-wide network that provides electronic connection between computers enabling them to communicate with each other.
Online information and websites can be created, hosted and accessed from all over the world, by anyone, at anytime.
There is a vast amount of data available on virtually every subject imaginable and there is no doubt that the world wide web has changed the way the world communicates.
The global nature of the internet means it is very difficult to formally regulate it in the same way as other means of mass communication such as television, radio or offline publications.
There is no central international body that monitors or approves internet content before it appears online.
A substantial amount of internet content available provides consumers with an interesting, positive and educational experience, but because of the freedom offered by the internet, combined with this lack of direct governance by a central body, there is always the potential for misuse.
The proliferation of indecent images of children being sexually abused has been a concern for many years. Whilst such images have, unfortunately, always existed, internet technologies have, without doubt, allowed a far wider dissemination of this type of content across the world.
Because the internet is not confined within any national or even international boundary, the way that countries around the globe deal with regulation of internet content is to apply their own legislation to an internet activity that takes place in their country.
Obviously, this creates disparity in laws governing online behaviour and the control of internet content around the world.
For example, images which are illegal to view in the UK may not be illegal to view in Japan.
Each country has a responsibility to develop their own legislation that they can apply to internet content within their jurisdiction.
As internet use in the UK grew and developed, it became apparent that to protect UK ISP service from being abused through the posting and hosting of illegal child abuse images and in turn, protect UK internet consumers from being exposed to these images an independent, intermediary online reporting mechanism was needed.
This would provide a notification procedure for UK ISPs who would be alterted to any illegal content on their services, allowing them to then remove it. It would also allow consumers a free public support service and offer them reassurance when using the internet.
To be successful, this model requires co-operation and partnerships across the internet industry, the police and the Government.
Page Created: Fri, September 10th, 2004
Page Modified: Mon, September 11th, 2006
