The ways we protect our children from high-tech porn are failing

Mobile phones are virtually impossible for parents to supervise. There are no filtering devices available for Internet-enabled mobile telephones. But carriers could install filters on their networks.

At least one of Australia’s 3G carriers already offers so-called "adult" content. It uses a PIN code as a way of restricting access to minors, but the Australian Communications Authority has described PIN codes as “nearly useless” for preventing children viewing content as they change hands easily.

This will be an unwelcome surprise to many parents who see mobile phones as a way of maintaining easy contact with their children and ensuring their safety - not technology which might threaten their wellbeing.

While parents might buy a mobile phone for their children for security, children are more likely to see it as an expression of their growing independence. Children have the skills and confidence to use the technology, but they don’t always have the maturity to decide what they should or should not see or do.

This month the government issued directions to the Australian Communications Authority to put in controls over SMS and multimedia messaging service or MMS so that children will not be able to see MA or R-rated content. X-rated content is not permitted. But it is very difficult for telecommunications companies to distinguish between a mobile phone used by an adult and one bought by an adult for their child.

These safeguards need to be in place before a new device or technology is put onto the market, not after.

We need to protect our children. Whether children are using computers or mobile telephones, we have to ensure that they are safe. We’ve wasted enough time.