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A majority of Israeli children between nine and 15 have been exposed to online porn and violence

FamilyVoice research officer Ros Phillips has praised a recent move by the Israeli Knesset (parliament) to give initial approval to a bill to protect children.  It would require internet service providers to block access to pornographic, gambling and violent websites by default.  “Customers would have to personally contact their internet providers to have the block removed,” she said. 

The bill was co-sponsored by lawmakers from across the political spectrum. The only party that refused to support the bill was left-wing Meretz.

“The damaging influence of watching, and addiction to, pornographic and severe violence has been proven in many studies, with great harm to children,” said MP Moalem-Refaeli. “Today, it is easier for a child to consume harsh content on the internet than to buy an ice cream at the local kiosk.” 

The bill mentions the “negative side of the internet which includes gambling, violence, pornography, pedophilia and more, which are apt to harm the public who are exposed to them, especially children”.  It also points out that 60 percent of Israeli children between the ages of nine and fifteen have already been exposed to internet pornography, and cites reports and studies of children hurt by exposure to harmful or sexual content on the internet, causing long-term damage.

Ros Phillips is hoping the current Australian Senate inquiry on the harm to children from online pornography will recommend similar legislation when it hands down its report, due on 23 November this year.

“Something needs to be done urgently to address this problem”, she said.