Internet: Regulation

Viscount Ridley Excerpts

Tuesday 29th October 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

I was looking into age verification only this morning. There is a working party on this matter at the moment in which the UK Council for Child Internet Safety is involved. It is drawing up a number of options; it is looking at some Danish examples of solutions and at how UK schools are doing it. I assure your Lordships that this is being taken very seriously indeed, because it is a very serious point.

[Viscount Ridley (Con)]

My Lords, in considering the regulation of the internet, would the Minister bear in mind one law in particular—the law of unintended consequences?

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, yes, this is why we think the self-regulatory approach is best. The situation is so changing that we could go down a legislative path and find ourselves in difficulties thereafter. That is why the approach of everyone working together—industry, parents, civil society—is at this time the best way.