SA's Film and Publication Board (FPB) has welcomed MXit's announcement last week that it will clamp down on “degenerates” - paedophiles and others who commit cyber crime.
The popular social networking tool said it would cut off about 0.1% of its users who posted derogatory items.
CEO and founder Herman Heunis said about 19 000 people had been abusing the system by posting explicit or offensive material. From now on, the company will simply ban these people without warning.
The FPB says MXit's decision to crack down on child predators is in compliance with the Films and Publications Act. Section 24 holds owners and operators of telecommunications channels liable for content created and distributed through their channels.
FPB CEO Yoliswa Makhasi says: “MXit's zero-tolerance policy against paedophilia and paedophiles on its platforms and society at large is commendable; it comes at a crucial time when children are most likely to be drawn to social networking platforms during and after the 2010 Soccer World Cup.”
She hopes other industry players will soon follow MXit's example.
A 2008 research study, conducted by the board, found that 54% of the participants had received pictures from someone else in a chat room, while some had the experience of somebody in a chat room attempting to arrange a meeting with them.
One girl, between 10 and 12 years old, said: “A guy asked me to send a picture of my private parts.”
Related story:
MXit weeds out 'degenerates'
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