Should websites have age ratings?

[Scottish Business Owner]

My two kids are still very young but I think as they grow up it's pretty likely they will get into the internet (The three year old already visits cbeebies most days )

I seen the article below which talks about adding film style age ratings to websites and i'm undecided as to how this will work. Should I be concerned as my kids grow up how much exposure they get to the internet etc? Is it inevitable they will see this type of material despite my best efforts not to show them it? How do other limit ther children's internet activities?

 

[Brian McIntosh]

I don't have kids but I'm wondering how enforceable this would be. Do you trust your kids to close a website that's been rated as suitable for older people or do you sit with them all the time they are on the internet to make sure they don't look at sites deemed too old for them? Seems to me we're being dragged further into the nanny state.

 

[Gordon N]

I personally think that the best policing for kids internet viewing is parental control. Surely with the number of new websites appearing daily, plus the millions of existing sites that would need rated, the backlog and delays for ratings would mean lots of 'TBD' sites?

Vista and most full price security apps have effective parental controls available already.

 

[Power Lunch Club]

I am pretty sure recently there was a debtate about seperating out porn website, with XXX TLD's. I can't quite remember but this was not adopted.

Your right Brian, it would be hard law or policy to enforce, but something should be seen to done at least. But the real issue is not those who abide by the law, it's with those who disregard it. Criminals who set up dodgy sick web sites, really don't give two hoots who see their materials, they are only interested in getting you to part with personal information.

We have laws in this country that have to be met before we turn the key in the ignition of our cars, but there are still people out there driving, not passing their test, no license, no insurance, no MOT's....do they care about the law and others,....the answer is no.

I don't think a website rating is going to make any difference to the internet and it's content...and their will always be sick barstewards out there who want to look at sick stuff. My personal oppinion is the setting up of an international internet police force, with agreed guidelines and laws to work with and powers to prosecute those who go outside the law. The penalties should of course be harsh.

Yes there will still be those who go outside the law, but at present we have nothing, and something is better than nothing.

We also have those that argue that the internet should not be subject to a some kind of restriction...well the internet operates in all countries around the world and as far as I know all countries have laws to help protect their citizens, so why should the internet be any different and not subject to laws?

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

This has created quite a stir online. I've posted a link below to an article that kind of agreed with most of you above that this is doomed to failure.

5 reasons why Cinema-like ratings For English websites will Ultimately fail - ITProPortal.com