Nearly three quarters (72pc) of British internet users are concerned that children are accessing harmful content online through their mobile phones, according to recent research commissioned by Mott MacDonald Schema – a UK-based management consultancy advising the technology, media and telecommunications industries.
Of the users that participated in the YouGov survey, 71pc believed operators should be accountable for monitoring and addressing harmful content over mobile devices. When asked about ways to stop children from accessing harmful content on their mobiles, over half (58pc) of respondents agreed that barring sites and content according to the age of the phone owner would be effective.
Tom Allen, head of Mott MacDonald’s information, communications and media business said: “The internet was developed to share information, but we must be sensible about what younger generations can access. As the internet becomes more accessible due to new delivery platforms such as mobile phones and games consoles, it’s increasingly important we find ways to protect our children from inappropriate content.”
According to the research, another preferred method would be to provide individual users with a pin code that reflects the user’s age and limits the type of content children can access. Alternatively, respondents agreed with implementing an SMS warning system that would send a message to a nominated ‘Parent phone’ when a child accesses a harmful site. Both these measures had 46pc approval of the participants.
“The mobile internet has made it much harder for parents to monitor what their children are viewing – they simply cannot be everywhere or looking over their children’s shoulders all the time. As such, mobile operators have a moral obligation to provide safeguards that limit the access of children. Operators should consider self regulation and their social responsibility, as regulators may soon demand that operators implement methods to protect children”, Allen added.
About Mott MacDonald Schema
Mott MacDonald Schema is part of the Mott MacDonald Group, which is a global management, engineering and development consultancy.
Notes
Harmful content for under-18s potentially includes, but is not limited to the following: pornography, violent games, unmoderated chatroom services, music with sexually explicit lyrics or videos, spam containing adult content and gambling (July 2005, European Internet Coregulation Network, “Protecting Minors from Exposure to Harmful Content on Mobile Phones”)
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1990 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 26th – 29th September 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18-plus).
