Blocking Porn on Mobile Phones

I have recently been discussing with a few friends the issue of access to porn and other adult content on mobile phones. It has recently been noted in the UK that children as young as 11 are routinely exposed to and accessing Adult content on their phones.

This has been a growing concern, and, thankfully, some mobile phone companies are beginning to take notice. The most responsible block all adult content by default until the user has (a) proved that they are over 18 and (b) asked for the block to be removed.

This is definitely the way things should go, as it is both the most secure way of protecting minors while making exposure an opt-in one if the user so chooses.

Who Blocks As Standard: A quick search on websites shows that the information is not always easy to find, but what seems apparent is:

• T-Mobile – blocks all adult content as standard, user proves age and applies for block to be removed.
• 3 – blocks all adult content as standard, user proves age and applies for block to be removed.
• Talk-Mobile – blocks all adult content as standard, user proves age and applies for block to be removed.
• O2 – blocks all adult content as standard, user proves age and applies for block to be removed.
• Vodaphone – blocks as standard where the age of the user is unknown. No indication of whether someone buying with a credit card is offered this block on their phone as standard.
• Orange – No Information
• Virgin – No Information

Fuller information is given below:

Vodaphone: Provides Content Control which is applied automatically to all phones where the age of the user can not be determined. The block can be removed if the user can confirm they are over 18. It is not clear if the block is automatically applied if you buy a new service or phone with a credit card.

• blocks 18-rated content and services which includes premium rate picture messaging, premium rate picture messaging, chat and dating services, erotica, gambling and betting and violent games.

T Mobile: Provides Content Lock automatically to all pay as you go and pay monthly mobiles. It blocks all adult content until you  prove that you’re over 18 by a credit card or by a name and address check through a credit reference agency. You can then request the removal of the block.

• Blocks unmoderated social networking sites and chatrooms, sites with persistent bad language, visual material of a sexual nature, horror and extreme violence.

Talk Mobile: Adult Content Restriction as standard on all their Pay As You Go, Prepay, World, Pay Monthly, SIMple and Control plans. The block is removed by paying a fee via a credit card to verify age. The restriction is then removed. There is no indication as to whether the restriction can be applied again. The site does not give any information about type of content blocked or what blocker is used.

Three (3): Applies Adult Filter as standard to all mobile phones. The user must prove they are over 18 and then are given a security pin to allow access to the content.

• Blocks nudity, unacceptable violence, racism, and websites that could expose you (or their network) to hacking, phishing and other harmful content.

O2: Applies Parental Control as standard, limiting web content to that deemed suitable to a 12 year old. It seems a fee is applied every time the Parental Controls are activated or deactivated.

Virgin Mobile: At date of writing I could find no information on the Virgin Mobile site about blocking Adult content etc on phones.

Orange: At date of writing I could find no information on the Orange site about blocking Adult content etc on phones.

So that is mobile phones story. It would be very neat if ISP’s applied the same options to services they offer from their end. The technology is there.

Tags: adult content, block, mobile, phone, porn