Talk Talk launches network monitoring to protect children

BROADBAND OPERATOR Talk Talk has launched a network monitoring system that it claims will keep children safe from the dangers of the web.

Talk Talk says its Homesafe service is "the UK's first network level broadband security service". Instead of getting its punters to install web filtering applications on devices, Talk Talk says that its Homesafe service is device agnostic and works on all devices connected to its network.

Talk Talk is pitching the free service at parents who want to protect their children from certain types of internet content such as pornography. It also includes a way to limit internet connectivity so that children are unable to play games online and visit websites such as Facebook during 'Homework Time'. A virus alert service is also present that blocks users from visiting websites that are known to harbour malware.

Talk Talk's Homesafe service can be turned on or off by the account holder at any time, and the company said the default setting is 'off'. Talk Talk also said that customers can mix-and-match which services they want from the Homesafe suite.

Tristia Clarke, commercial director of Talk Talk said, "Of course, it's not a silver bullet and it doesn't absolve parents from the responsibility of knowing what their children are up to online. But our research shows parents understand this. They don't want their ISP to control what content they can or can't access online, they just want their ISP to give them the power to implement settings that are right for their family."

Clarke certainly makes a fair point, and while some will question that when enabled, Talk Talk's Homesafe service snoops on internet traffic in order to protect its users, parents might think that is a price worth paying if it affords them some level of protection for their children. µ