Catholic Church welcomes moves to block pornography, violence from home computers

Policies to make Internet Service Providers (ISPs) block violent and pornographic material before it reaches home computers were a significant step forward in protecting children from the dangers of cyberspace, the Catholic Church said today.

Reports today indicate that the federal government is investigating and trialling the idea.

The opposition this week announced its policy to have ISPs filter out websites rated R or above and Family First and some government backbenchers have also been lobbying the Communications Minister to adopt such a policy.

Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Media, Archbishop Barry Hickey, said most parents were concerned at the presence of internet violence and pornography on their home computer, but many did not know what to do about it.

“Many families struggle simply to afford a computer, let alone to buy filtering equipment to block these sites out,” Archbishop Hickey said.

“Those with little technical know-how might not even know that such filtering equipment exists.

“It is much more effective to have ISPs block sites promoting violence and pornography before they ever reach home computers.”

Archbishop Hickey noted that similar systems were already in place some other countries.

“We welcome any moves by political parties to make home computers safer for children and less worrying for parents,” he said.