Links are constantly being made about crimes involving sexual predators and their use of the internet, leading to criticism of the web. Can this type of illegal activity be controlled? Yes it can ...



THE Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is like a web monitor. Its aim is to help stamp out illegal internet content by acting as a link between concerned web users and the authorities who have the power to take action.

It does this by operating a hotline which UK internet users can call to report material which they believe might be illegal, particularly child pornography.

The hotline deals with around 400 reports a week.

Where the IWF believes the material may be illegal, it passes details on to the Metropolitan Police or the National Criminal Intelligence Agency, depending on where the alleged offence is committed.

The IWF also monitors certain websites and newsgroups which are known to be online venues for paedophiles.

The second role of the IWF is to work with other organisations to promote voluntary systems for the rating of internet content and the use of filtering techniques to help parents and teachers prevent children gaining access to inappropriate material on the web.

Raising awareness is the third role of the IWF, especially educating people on the potential problems of using the internet and the tools and techniques for minimising them.

Because of the nature of the internet and the sophisticated methods used by people who create and pass on illegal material, the usefulness of organisations like the IWF will always be limited.

But like a lighthouse in a storm, the IWF is at least a guiding light in the murky world of the internet and does offer some security for the millions of decent web users.