FSC, ASACP Release Report at ATVOD Conference

LONDON — The Free Speech Coalition and ASACP, calling for a public education campaign as the only viable alternative to blanket online censorship in the U.K., today released a report based on independent research on combating the spread of child porn.

The Free Speech Coalition and ASACP released the report — "Protecting Children in the Digital Age" — prior to today's ATVOD conference that discussed ways to protect children from online pornography.

Today's ATVOD conference in London, titled “For Adults Only? — Protecting Children From Online Porn,” was organized by the U.K. on-demand regulator and attended by an audience of free speech and adult entertainment advocates, as well as those advocating against Internet access to erotic content. The conference discussed ways U.K. providers of online video services can keep hardcore porn out of reach of under-18s and what risks does it pose to children. The subject of blocking payments for foreign porn sites also was touched on.

Speakers at today's conference included the FSC's Diane Duke; ASACP's Vince Charlton; Sue Berelowitz, deputy children’s commissioner for England; Reg Bailey, CEO of The Mothers’ Union; Julia Hornle, of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at Queen Mary, University of London; Paula Hall, chair of the Association for the Treatment of Sex Addicts and Compulsivity; Becky Foreman, head of governmental affairs at Microsoft; Vicki Shotbolt, CEO of The Parent Zone; Adam Kinsley, director of policy at BSkyB; and Julia Long, author of "Anti-Porn: The Resurgence of Anti-Pornography Feminism," as well as ATVOD's Pete Johnson.

In the report, the FSC and ASACP called on for Prime Minister David Cameron and the U.K. government to re-think how they approach issues around children and Internet pornography.

The "Protecting Children in the Digital Age" report offered recommendations on child safety, including  the launch of a public educational campaign to provide factual information to U.K. citizens on how to keep our young people safe online;  partnering with adult content providers and gaming sites to ensure all sites use a filtering system that facilitates age-appropriate parental controls; providing practical, evidence based, educational classes to parents covering topics from installing parental controls, to how to communicate with their children about online interactions

The report also highlights the failings of filtering technologies as a silver-bullet  solution to child protection online and raised serious concerns that ISP blocking could even prevent young people’s access to advice and resources on serious issues like cyber-bullying, child luring, cyber-stalking, and what to do if  a victim of sexual or physical abuse.

Duke, in a statement on the report, said that "the function of government is to provide its citizens with considered evidence based public policy; not to cooperate with moral panics and narrow pressure groups.”

Charlton, director of European Outreach for ASACP, concurred: “Creating hysteria and setting up blocks at the ISP level will not only do little to protect children online, but also may pose additional threats because it will give parents a false sense of security.”

In the report, the two organizations asked ATVOD, and parent regulator Ofcom, to work for a "truly safe online environment and look forward to the possibility of working together to that end."

View FSC/ASACP report

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Kelly Holland's Industry Animal Rescue Charity Event 'Vice Is Nice' Returns Saturday

The 13th annual Vice Is Nice event, a long-standing adult industry fundraiser for Animal Rescue Alliance (TARA), will take place Saturday in Chatsworth.

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Angela White Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Angela White stars with Scott Nails in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Brazzers Beach."

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

Eva Angelina on Stepping Back Into the Spotlight With Purpose

Eva Angelina is back in front of the camera, stronger and sharper than ever. Making her triumphant return in her own inimitable badass style, the veteran performer recently reentered the industry not just with a bang, but a dazzling signal flare.

Cassie Del Isla, Ama Rio Topline Latest 'Secret Lesbian Diaries'

Cassie Del Isla and Ama Rio headline the 15th volume of "Secret Lesbian Diaries" from Girlfriends Films.

Cailey Katt Fronts Latest From GroobyVR

Cailey Katt stars alongside Luke London in the latest release from GroobyVR, titled "A Katt in Your Lap."

Show More