by Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon

Opportunity or threat?

FOR many of us the web is an enriching addition to our lives. It allows access to an ocean of knowledge — a highway of communication — undreamt of just a few short decades ago.

Though a mind-blowing resource the web is also a free-for-all — a Wild West from which much goodness emanates and yet true evil lurks in abundance. Internet pornography and children represents one area of concern.

On the web it is possible to discover the most depraved examples of the sexual exploitation of children. This material is illegal — under UK law possession or distribution of it is a criminal offence and I doubt that even the most liberal-minded would suggest that it should not be censored.

But what of pornography that is not illegal and yet can be accessed by children? I believe this is a serious matter — exposure to pornography (including the hard-core variety) has become far too commonplace amongst children — with it the innocence of childhood can be lost and attitudes to sex and relationships unhealthily distorted.

The debate now is to what degree should the State interfere — my view is 'a fair bit'.

So I applaud the Government for pressing the major Internet Service Providers to ensure that new computers have parental controls automatically set to 'on' so that adult content is filtered out.

Also that those who already have computers will be prompted over the coming months as to whether or not they wish to install adult content filters — a one-click solution that will cover all devices in the household whether ipad, mobile phone, laptop or desktop.

As a father of two daughters under the age of 7 who are already surfing for movies this is an issue in which I will continue to show an active interest in Parliament.