Christians would pay more internet charges to block porn
Just over half of UK Christians would be prepared to pay more for their internet usage if it meant greater restrictions on the accessing of porn
That’s according to a new ComRes poll, commissioned by Premier Christian Media Trust.
The poll found that 57 per cent would accept higher charges to fund a scheme in which users have to actively ‘opt-in’ to access online pornographic content.
Premier Christian Media Trust launched the Safetynet Campaign earlier this year in partnership with Safermedia in a bid to protect children from internet pornography.
The campaign calls on the Government to introduce legislation to ensure that Internet Service Providers (ISP) filter pornography at source. It has gathered more than 75,000 signatures.
The ISPs claim that an opt-in model would add substantial cost to internet services, though a recent cross-party inquiry report into the subject of on-line child safety said these claims were unfounded.
John Morris, managing director of financial services organisation The Harvest Partnership Ltd said, ‘The silent majority has been awakened by the need to protect children and vulnerable people from internet pornography.
‘That is why, even when people are concerned about their jobs and with all the pressures on the family budget during the current period of austerity, they are prepared to prioritise this matter so highly.’
Baptist minister the Revd Peter Kerridge, chief executive of Premier Christian Media, organisers of the Safetynet Campaign said, ‘I’m a father myself, and this issue really concerns me.
‘Children need to be protected, and to do this ISPs need to block pornography at network level – allowing both new and existing users to make an active choice whether to opt-in to adult content, whilst allowing children the freedom to use the internet without stumbling across hard-core pornography.’
For more on the Safetynet Campaign visit www.safetynet.org.uk