Kitemark Child Safety Online Launched

The new Kitemark for Child Safety Online and the standard on which it is based, known as “Internet safety – Access control systems for the protection of children online”, will be launched today by the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith to an audience of key representatives from the UK’s software and ISP industries. 

The standard was developed by BSI British Standards on behalf of the Home Office and Ofcom following extensive consultation with software manufacturers and ISPs.

The standard requires internet filtering software to be easy to install, easy to use and effective in blocking inappropriate online content such as pornography, violence and racism.

Only software which passes a series of rigorous tests will be awarded the Child Safety Online Kitemark backed by the Home Office. Testing will start shortly and products featuring the Kitemark are anticipated later in the year. Parents will then, for the first time, be able to choose products that have been approved and should keep their children safer while online.  

The launch of the Kitemark has been welcomed by industry leaders including AOL, Microsoft and BT; all of whom plan to submit products for BSI Kitemark certification in due course.

Announcing the publication of the standard, Ian Harper of BSI Product Services commented: “The Kitemark scheme allows manufacturers to prove their products are effective and reassure consumers that there are products available to help keep their children safer while online.”

Although 80% of children now access the internet in the home, research from Ofcom suggests that fewer than half of parents currently use internet safety software to help protect their children.

Stewart Purvis, Content & Standards Partner, Ofcom, said: “The internet can be an amazing source of information and entertainment for children. However, potentially harmful content is out there and Ofcom’s research shows that parents often feel they do not have the tools to help protect their children online. The new standard and Kitemark scheme set a challenge to manufacturers to ensure that their products are effective and easy to use. We hope software companies and ISPs will rise to this challenge.”

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NOTES TO EDITORS

For media information
James Tate
Henley Group International
Tel: +44 (0)1491 570971
Mob: +44 (0)7976 794398
james@henley.co.uk

About BSI Product Services
With its Global HQ in Hemel Hempstead, UK, BSI Product Services is the testing and certification arm of the world-renowned BSI Group. BSI’s testing and certification capabilities are amongst the most highly-rated in the world. BSI provides product/service testing and certification to UK, European and International standards and is the UKAS accredited Notified Body for 17 of the New Approach EU Directives.  For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com/productservices.

About the Kitemark®
The Kitemark is one of the most respected product quality marks in the world, demonstrating that a wide range of products from lighting to fire extinguishers conform to standards, ensuring that vital safety and performance requirements are met.
 
The word Kitemark and the Kitemark logo are registered trade marks of BSI. A combination of a quality based system, such as BS EN ISO 9001 or a similar quality system, with advanced product/service testing provide the basis for a Kitemark scheme offering trust, integrity and quality.  For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com/kitemark.

About BSI Group
BSI Product Services is part of BSI Group, a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world’s first national standards body, the Group has over 2,300 staff operating in over 120 countries through more than 50 global offices. The Group’s key offerings are:

• The development and sale of private, national and international standards and supporting information
• Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification
• Product testing and certification of services and products
• Performance management software solutions
• Training services in support of standards implementation and business best practice.

For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com.