A cross-party group of MPs last week said internet service providers should adopt the “opt-in” feature, amid fears that easy access to pornography would damage children’s attitudes to relationships.
Last night Jenny Chapman, the shadow minister for justice, and Helen Goodman, the shadow minister for culture, media and sport, pledged their support.
In an article for the Daily Mail they condemned the access to pornography as “a modern-day form of pollution”.
They wrote: “Children are regularly seeing pornography and sometimes being groomed for sex. Righting these wrongs is not an attack on civil liberties. Adults will still have the choice to access material they want to see.
“But in a civilised society we must also protect our children. What we want to see is the same balance of rights and responsibilities as we have in the real world.”
They also argued that sales of televisions with internet access meant “even more children will be one click from the strongest material”.
Last week, a parliamentary inquiry concluded that internet firms should have a responsibility to ensure children can not access inappropriate content online.
After hearing from academics, charities and religious groups, it found that many parents lacked the technical expertise to control what their children see online.
It is thought the problem, which is exacerbated by mobile or tablet computer technology, could be aided by an opt-in system, which would filter home broadband lines.
