Mobile network providers say they aren`t just paying lip service to protecting minors from pornography on mobile phones.
Reacting to criticism from companies like Red Stripe, which says it has a technological solution to combat the undesirable content problem, mobile services say they are already working on the issue.
They say they have already expressed their commitment to protecting children from harmful content through the signing of a code of good practice on 2 November.
According to Cell C media relations manager Happy Zondi, Cell C is committed to putting measures in place to prevent children from accessing unsuitable content and applications, and was not just paying lip service in the signing of the code.
"Cell C is extremely serious about this problem and is working hard on putting the right solutions in place."
Zondi says the issue of screening adult content to minors is an extremely complex problem from a technical perspective. This is primarily due to the fact that there are a number of different sources where one can source adult content from: wireless application service providers, the Internet and peer-to-peer applications like MMS.
The problem is that while trying to stop minors from accessing this content, the channels still need to be open for adults who want to access this content, she adds.
Zondi also stresses that no one vendor will be able to give a complete solution that will block all forms of content. The answer lies in combining a number of initiatives and applications to provide an effective screening service across all the sources of adult content, she says.
Ashraff Paruk, MTN GM of products and innovation, says the company is continuously looking at and investing in product development to combat the problem.
"MTN will continue to do all that is fair and sustain its efforts to prevent minors from accessing pornography even though the company cannot accept responsibility for content provision."
He also points out that organisations that operate services that provide illegal content move their services to new locations once they realise they are being blocked by networks and it is difficult to follow their movements.
Vodacom had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
An option
South African-based Red Stripe says it has a technological solution to combat the distribution of pornography to minors on mobile phones via MMS, SMS, WAP and 3G.
Called "Mobile Nanny", the product has received the support of Childnet International, says marketing director Shaun Wilson.
Wilson says Red Stripe could attempt a roll-out of the system, but this would not be the most effective method. It would not reach all the children who have access to mobile content, as it would be up to parents to purchase the product.
He says parents don`t really know what their children are accessing on their phones. He argues that putting such measures in place should not be the parents` responsibility only. Networks and mobile content providers should also play their part in ensuring children are protected.
Wilson says mobile network providers could implement a technological solution without great cost to themselves.
"Economies of scale that would arise when implementing the system on a such a large scale would make the actual cost minimal."
He says part of the costs could also be passed to the content providers, while parents could be charged a minimum fee for the service.
"Why are mobile providers willing to spend billions of rand to expand to Africa and purchase another network, but they are not willing to spend a few millions to protect children from harmful content?"
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