Social networking web sites may well be needed to take away any material perceived unsuitable for children like obscene or violent images and statements, within just 24 hours of receiving a complaint in this regard. This step has been suggested under a rigorous new code for Internet safety.

The Byron Review regarding e-safety, just published, has also recommended that search engines like Yahoo and Google display a ‘safe search’ button prominently on their respective home pages. This will allow filtering out material that is potentially harmful especially when children search the web.

The report prepared by Tanya Byron, the clinical psychologist and writer, also has recommended that web sites that (directly or indirectly) promoting suicide be shut, using existing legal provisions on assisted suicide. Those who promote self-harm and eating disorders should also come under more intense legal scrutiny, the report has suggested. Dr Byron, a mother of two, stated: “Many parents tend to believe that when their child is online it’s similar to them watching TV. In fact, it’s more like opening the front door & letting your child go outside to play - unsupervised.”