A critical study of ISP filtering of child pornography

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are today the most used technologies for child pornography. In an attempt to reduce access to child pornography, some Internet Service Providers (ISP), in the United Kingdom, Norway and Sweden have introduced filtering systems which block access to web sites containing child pornography. The aim of this paper is to critically analyse whether the ISP filtering techniques is an effective approach to the problem with child pornography and ICT. The paper will present initial empirical findings consisting of court records, criminal investigation records and interviews with convicted offenders. This material provides information about the type of ICT that has been used for child pornography. The paper has applied critical information systems research, since this perspective is well suited to critically examine the technology used. In light of the empirical material this paper argues that although the ISP initiative to block access to child pornography is a step in the right direction, filtering is not a truly effective approach to this problem. Some identified flaws with the filtering approach will be presented. The results of this study are of great importance to both the critical IS research and professional communities, since the findings enhance the understanding of ICT and its social effects.