BBFC rating system on websites

22.04.2010

A new Internet service provider offers web filtering that uses the BBFC rating system.

by Rune H. Rasmussen

It’s not an easy task for parents to monitor their children’s online activities. Even if you keep the PC in the living room or another common area, or monitor the web log and use different parental control software, there’s always a risk that children intentionally or accidentally find their way to harmful websites.

BBFC rating system
Tibboh, a new British ISP (Internet service provider), now offers web filtering that aims to make it easier for parents to control their children’s Internet use. The ISP classifies websites according to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) rating system which is used for films; U, PG, 12, 15 or 18. This is the first time the BBFC has teamed up with an ISP.

The system allows you to establish a separate login and password for every member of the household. Thus, it enables parents to give their children an age appropriate Internet experience. If you, for example, have an 11 year old child, you may apply a “12” rating to his or hers profile, making sites classified 12 or higher unavailable.

Three billion websites classified
According to Tibboh, the filtering technology has already classified about three billion websites.

Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as the video service YouTube, are given a "12" rating. This also applies to search engines Google and Bing, which have been deemed inappropriate for younger children due to many potentially harmful results and sponsored links.

Blogger and Wordpress are given a "15" rating. In addition, teenagers are prevented from accessing illegal download sites, and obscene music lyrics are filtered for the very young.

However, although a large number of websites have been classified, there are still many that are not. In order to deal with this problem, users on the most restrictive filters (PG and below) will be unable to access unclassified sites, while those on higher levels may find that access to particular websites will be banned after the sites have been screened.

How does it work?
Tibboh offers a mobile broadband package via Vodafone, and is currently only available as a 3G mobile Internet service. Users access the Internet via a USB dongle, or a SIM card for a mobile device.

When it comes to the filtering technology, Tibboh uses Netsweeper, a government approved filtering system that is used in many British schools. In addition, Tibboh's own Filtersafe Plus blocks attempts by "adventurous children" to circumvent the system.

The most important filter is in the child’s mind
Kids and Media welcomes services that make children’s Internet experience safer. However, at the same time it is important to be aware of the fact that no filtering systems are completely safe. Some harmful sites may slip through the filter, and access to useful sites may be banned. There is also a problem with what the children themselves are putting out on the web. Filtering material children create on their own is an equally important and even more difficult task than filtering the websites they visit.

For these reasons, it is very important to remember that the most important filter isn’t on your computer, but in the mind and heart of those who use it. Parents have an important and difficult task in giving their children good attitudes and clear boundaries, and no filter can serve as a substitute for parental guidance and the development of a healthy critical sense.

Note:
Facebook and YouTube have been given a “12” rating by Tibboh, but these sites have a 13 year age limit. You have to be 13 in order to establish a Facebook profile, and the YouTube Terms of Service state that the website is not intended for children under 13.

Kids and Media recommends that parents have a general rule about adhering to age limits. Speak with your children about why there are age limits on media contents and services and teach them to respect this.

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