Government mulls over anti-porn plans

Under plans drawn up by Downing Street, internet service providers would be instructed have a default block on porn which means customers would have to make an "active choice" if they want to view explicit sites.

Campaigners have warned that currently almost six out of 10 children can go online without filters in their homes, giving them easy access to porn as well as websites showing extreme violence or promoting self-harm and eating disorders.

At the moment, the onus is on parents who must opt-out of services if they want to protect their children.

But under the new plans, internet service providers will be forced to ask customers if they wish to access sites before they can sign up for broadband.

The consultation follows an inquiry by MPs last month, which called on the government to appoint an internet safety tsar and an opt-in filter to access online adult material.

The cross-party report found 77 per cent of women would sign up to a default filter barring porn sites.

Conservative MP and independent inquiry chairwoman Claire Perry has accused internet companies of being "complicit" in exposing children to pornography - an industry worth an estimated £3 billion.

Shadow culture secretary Harriet Harman said: "We need to work closely with the industry to develop blocking technology which is easy to use and effective."