An Internet service provider has launched a web filtering service that uses same classification certification system as the film industry of UK. In fact, it is for the first time that BBFC or British Board of Film Classification has joined forces with an ISP.
Parents usually choose filter levels of U, PG, 12, 15 and 18, to keep the viewing of their children under control. The Internet service provider, Tibboh, makes use of a filter technology like Netsweeper for classifying sites over the Internet.
Currently, it is present as a 3G mobile service online only. Users will require a dongle for accessing Tibboh, and they will be able to register different profiles for different members of their family. However, all users will need to be connected through the dongle for accessing their profile. This will not over-ride the existing cable broadband or wireless connections. The service will have the data limit of 15 gigabyte and monthly charge for it will be £19.99.
According to the ratings given by Tibboh, social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook and search engines such as Bing and Google have received a ‘12’ rating.
Phil Dawson, MD of Tibboh, says that search engines prove to be great, but at U and PG levels, several sponsored links and results are found inappropriate. He added that the own guidelines of Twitter and Facebook state that they are not appropriate for people under 12 years of age. Some of the rankings given are:
News websites BBC, Guardian and Telegraph and computer giants Microsoft and Apple: U
Virginmedia, Sky and Internet browser Mozilla: PG
Blogging hosts WordPress and Blogger: 15
Tibboh has claimed that its filtering technology has already been applied to around 3 billion sites. Those on PG and below ranking will not be able to access websites that are not yet classified, while those on 18 rating will be banned after screening of a particular site.
