CHIS Calls For All ISP’s To Block Child Abuse Sites

CHIS, the Children’s Charities’ Coalition on Internet Safety, has called for further government action to ensure all of the UK’s ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) block access to child abuse websites.

Zoe Hilton, spokesperson for CHIS, whose membership includes the NSPCC, Action for Children and Barnado’s said “700,000 UK households can still get easy access to illegal child abuse image sites.”

Zoe continues, “We now need decisive action from the government to ensure the ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) that are still refusing to block this foul material are forced to fall into line. Self-regulation on this issue is obviously failing.”

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: “In 2006 the government stated that they wished to see 100% of consumer broadband connections covered by blocking, which includes images of child abuse, by the end of 2007.”

Alan continues, “Currently in the UK, 95% of consumer broadband connections are covered by blocking. The government is looking at ways to progress the final 5%.”

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) supplies the list of blocked websites that the majority of broadband providers sign up to and use. The remaining ISP’s who have yet to do this are reported to doubt its effectiveness whilst others cite the cost of blocking the illegal material as a reason not to sign up.