Tighter Controls on the Internet

[AB Asks]

The discovery of international child pornography covering 77 countries and 2,360 people has once again shown the ease with which the internet can be exploited.

Guilty parties paid to view graphic photos, which have been described as 'the worst kind of child sexual abuse' and was run from a site located in Austria.

Do you think that stronger restrictions should be placed on content shown on the internet? And should the police have more powers to investigate online crime?

[mariner2]

I can't beleive how it can be so anonymous, there MUST be a way to make the people that run the servers culpable for what goes on there?

[Coldicote]

The short answer is 'Yes' there should be more controls, but I'm a little worried as to by whom - certainly by Police as far as crime is concerned. Child porn brings out the worst side of human nature and the Internet being worldwide complicates the issue, as these things would probably have to be dealt with in the country of origin. Also, whatever controls may be possible I hope spammers won't be overlooked. Advertising is one thing (albeit that some spams are a bit near the mark) but being a constant pestering nuisance is quite another.

[dannywells]

yes what a good idea, because that will stop child pornography wont it...

[fo3nix]

No, the internet should be free and anonymous to use. Innocence should be assumed before any guilt is assumed, and we should all have a right to privacy and anonymity in our lives, including on the internet.

We don't have no notify anyone or agree to be tracked by anyone when using the roads in our cars, yet I'm pretty sure most bank robbers etc. also use these same roads.

Restricting everyone will annoy the majority and not affect the minority that will find a way round these barriers. The solution is to prevent child abuse in the first place, regardless of the distribution method.

[Keeprockin]

No. Keep the net open. The people caught are paedophiles anyway,so they would still be molesting kids wherever they are,at least on the net the police can trace a good amount of them. Start bringing in censorship and where will it end? Heaven forbid,someone like the late Mary Whitehouse may take control of just what is suitable.

[rojash]

I agree with fo3nix and Keeprockin. As these people were caught anyway, surely that demonstrates that we don't need more controls?

[mariner2]

Oh right, so they got them all did they?