Menu
04/04/2008
Sex Offenders Face Ban From Social Networking Sites
Sex offenders could be banned from social networking sites such as MySpace, Bebo and Facebook, under new plans unveiled by the government.
The proposals, developed alongside internet firms, children's charities, and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), are aimed at protecting children online.
Under the new plans, the email addresses of registered child sex offenders would be passed by police to social networking websites so that they could be prevented from using the sites.
Sex offenders would also face up to five years in prison, if they failed to provide police with their email addresses or provided false ones.
Social networking sites would also display reporting links to agencies including the police, NSPCC and the Samaritans, under the proposals.
A new Kitemark to set a standard for filtering software for home computers to protect children online has also been launched.
The guidance also includes recommendations for service providers and safety advice for users, including:
"Social networking sites are a wonderful way to communicate and it's vital that we work together to help ensure children and young people can use them safely and responsibly.
"These guidelines build on the work that many providers are already implementing to ensure that, as far as possible, products are safer by design and children and young people have the tools to manage their online experience."
The government's announcement comes after research from telecoms regulator Ofcom found that nearly half of those aged between 8 and 17 had a profile on a social networking site.
Commenting on the new guidance, Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of CEOP, said: "This has the real potential to accelerate online child protection and if adopted and applied should provide the vital reassurance that we all need - not least every parent, teacher and child protection team - that protecting the young and vulnerable is being taken seriously across the board."
(KMcA/JM)
The proposals, developed alongside internet firms, children's charities, and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), are aimed at protecting children online.
Under the new plans, the email addresses of registered child sex offenders would be passed by police to social networking websites so that they could be prevented from using the sites.
Sex offenders would also face up to five years in prison, if they failed to provide police with their email addresses or provided false ones.
Social networking sites would also display reporting links to agencies including the police, NSPCC and the Samaritans, under the proposals.
A new Kitemark to set a standard for filtering software for home computers to protect children online has also been launched.
The guidance also includes recommendations for service providers and safety advice for users, including:
- Arrangements for industry and law enforcement to share reports of potentially illegal activity and suspicious behaviour
- To make it more difficult for people registered over the age of 18 to search for users under 18
- To encourage children not to provide excessive information about themselves
"Social networking sites are a wonderful way to communicate and it's vital that we work together to help ensure children and young people can use them safely and responsibly.
"These guidelines build on the work that many providers are already implementing to ensure that, as far as possible, products are safer by design and children and young people have the tools to manage their online experience."
The government's announcement comes after research from telecoms regulator Ofcom found that nearly half of those aged between 8 and 17 had a profile on a social networking site.
Commenting on the new guidance, Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of CEOP, said: "This has the real potential to accelerate online child protection and if adopted and applied should provide the vital reassurance that we all need - not least every parent, teacher and child protection team - that protecting the young and vulnerable is being taken seriously across the board."
(KMcA/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 April 2013
Youth Crime Commissioner Resigns Over Tweets
Less than a week after the appointment was announced, Britian’s first youth crime commissioner has resigned over a row about her Twitter postings. 17-year-old Paris Brown, from Sheerness in Kent, said she was resigning from her post after it was announced police were investigating whether posts she made on Twitter amounted to a criminal offence.
Youth Crime Commissioner Resigns Over Tweets
Less than a week after the appointment was announced, Britian’s first youth crime commissioner has resigned over a row about her Twitter postings. 17-year-old Paris Brown, from Sheerness in Kent, said she was resigning from her post after it was announced police were investigating whether posts she made on Twitter amounted to a criminal offence.
21 December 2011
Dutch Internet Paedophile Sentenced In Wirral
A paedophile that travelled from Holland to a school girl's home in Merseyside has been sentenced to 22 months in prison on Wednesday. Dutch national Kristian Timmerman travelled from Holland to the home of the Wirral schoolgirl after befriending the 12-year-old on Youtube, and social networking sites over a period of weeks and months.
Dutch Internet Paedophile Sentenced In Wirral
A paedophile that travelled from Holland to a school girl's home in Merseyside has been sentenced to 22 months in prison on Wednesday. Dutch national Kristian Timmerman travelled from Holland to the home of the Wirral schoolgirl after befriending the 12-year-old on Youtube, and social networking sites over a period of weeks and months.
11 February 2010
Justice Clamp Down On Facebook
Thirty Facebook accounts used by convicted criminals to taunt their victims were today shut down. Justice Secretary Jack Straw welcomed the move, but said social networking sites must do more to curb "deeply offensive" material. Mr Straw met with victims' groups to discuss how inmates illegally using web-phones can be better policed.
Justice Clamp Down On Facebook
Thirty Facebook accounts used by convicted criminals to taunt their victims were today shut down. Justice Secretary Jack Straw welcomed the move, but said social networking sites must do more to curb "deeply offensive" material. Mr Straw met with victims' groups to discuss how inmates illegally using web-phones can be better policed.
12 June 2012
Children's Minister Expresses Concerns Over Online Porn
The deputy children’s minister has warned that free access to hardcore pornography on mobile phones is twisting children’s idea of what is normal sexual.
Children's Minister Expresses Concerns Over Online Porn
The deputy children’s minister has warned that free access to hardcore pornography on mobile phones is twisting children’s idea of what is normal sexual.
04 July 2006
Social networking sites placed under scrutiny
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has announced a series of workshops designed to examine the growing phenomenon of social networking sites.
Social networking sites placed under scrutiny
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has announced a series of workshops designed to examine the growing phenomenon of social networking sites.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
