Published: Wed 12 Feb 2020
Plans to introduce new online protections have been welcomed by The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) as the Government looks to increase measures to protect children on the internet.
The IWF is the UK charity responsible for finding and removing images and videos of child sexual abuse from the internet.
Today (February 12), the Government announced its response to the consultation on the Online harms White Paper.
The response says the Government is “minded” to give Ofcom (the UK's regulatory authority for broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries) new regulatory powers to protect the public from online harms.
Home Secretary Priti Patel and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nicky Morgan released a joint ministerial foreword to the Government’s response.
They said: “The scale, severity and complexity of online child sexual exploitation and abuse is a concern for government, law enforcement and companies.”
The statement continued: “Terrorist propaganda and vile online child sexual abuse destroy lives and tear families and communities apart.
“We cannot allow these harmful behaviours and content to undermine the significant benefits that the digital revolution can offer.”
Susie Hargreaves, CEO of the IWF, said: “Anything that helps make the internet a safer place for children and helps in the fight against online child sexual abuse material is a good thing.
“We are really pleased to see protection for children is being put front and centre of Government policy.
“We look forward to working with the Government and the new regulator on tackling this exploitative content and making sure there is nowhere for offenders to share this abuse.
“The IWF has had a leading role in finding and removing online child sexual abuse material, and the UK is at the forefront of the battle.
“We look forward to continuing to play an active role in making the internet a safer place for everyone, particularly children.”
New online safety guidelines need to be more ambitious if the “hopes of a safer internet” are to be realised, the IWF warns.