SINGAPORE - The Media
Development Authority (MDA) has made it compulsory for Internet
service providers to promote Internet filters to customers amid the
growing usage of the Web among children - made even more so with
the popularity of mobile devices.
From September, telecommunications companies must promote such
filters - essentially software which parents can install to block
undesirable content - over the counter, at points of sale or when
customers renew contracts.
According to the Synovate Young Asians Survey 2010, 95 per cent of
those aged between eight to 14 spend up to eight hours online on
computers and smartphones.
StarHub became the first telco to introduce mobile Internet filters
yesterday, at the StarHub Security Solutions event.
Responding to media queries, SingTel said it has plans to offer
mobile broadband filters for phones and tablets soon, while M1
would only say that plans are in the pipeline.
Teacher Jasmine Koh said mobile filters are especially useful since
parents have less control over what their children surf on their
mobile phones: "These days, even primary school pupils have
smartphones and it can be a real problem."
Parent Jane Yang said filters would be useful as her son, 12, is
left alone at home for between two and three hours on weekdays and
on some Sundays.
Nonetheless, while Internet filtering is effective at blocking
access to illegal and inappropriate material, it does not provide
security against risks such as fraud, illegal contact or
cyber-bullying, research by the Australian media authority has
found.
Noted Ms Koh: "Parents still need to take a proactive role in
guiding their children online, to make sure they do not overstep
their boundaries."
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