Revealing Porn

It is simply impossible to automatically restrict all pornographic content coming through the internet. Apart from technical issues, there is the more general problem of definition: how is the appropriatness of each piece of content determined, for each teenager? Despite the Government's faith in technology, no such automatic system can exist.

There is one tried and true content restricting system: parental supervision. While parents cannot monitor the children continually, all internet transactions are currently logged by ISPs. It is a relatively simple matter to make available to acount holders (parents), at the end of each month, a list of all websites visited including search queries. Concerned parents can cast an eye over this list, and click on any dubious-looking addresses or queries to determine its suitability first-hand.

While not foolproof, this would allow a dialogue between parents and teenagers about their usage, much like the phone bill does now for voice calls. This is a feasible, lawful and commonsense solution to the problem.