August 5, 2008

ARTICLES: 'Listen to Children Before Clamping Down on Internet' Commissioner Urges MPs to Talk to Young (NORTHERN IRELAND)

'Listen to Children Before Clamping Down on Internet' Commissioner Urges MPs to Talk to Young

By EMILY MOULTON

Northern Ireland's Children's Commissioner today appealed to MPs to "listen" to the views of young people before they plough ahead with any sweeping changes to age classification and access to social networking or video-sharing sites.

Patricia Lewsley was speaking after members from the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee announced yesterday that they believed websites such as You Tube, which broadcast films and other content, should carry age certificates and those with pornographic or violent content should be subjected to a television- style 'watershed'.

"The internet is a potential force for good, for most young people," the commissioner said. "However there is content which is inappropriate for young people.

"Before taking any action, I would encourage decision makers to speak directly to children and young people themselves and to listen to their views.

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