India : Under 14? No entry into cyber cafes

BANGALORE:
If the Karnataka government has its way, no child below the age of 14 years will be allowed into a cyber cafe unless accompanied by an adult. To regulate the harmful influence of internet on children, the law department is in the process of framing rules and regulations for lakhs of internet browsing centres. "Not just cyber cafes but any other establishment which provides computer services to the general public for a cost will come under the ambit of the proposed law. The rules are before the scrutiny department of the government," official sources told The Times of India. The rules also state that all establishments providing training to children through computers shall ensure mandatory installation of child-friendly safeguards and that no child below the age of 14 has access to internet facilities. The rules even restrict hotels and other establishments providing boarding and lodging from providing internet facilities for children without filters. Any objectionable material presented either through film/videos, disc players, cable or any other medium by that establishment is strictly prohibited too. What prompted this decision is the indiscriminate usage of the net and free exposure to unsuitable sites. "At present, there is absolutely no check on centres providing net facilities. Many do not block sites that are not suitable for children," sources said. To keep a check on browsing centres, a special advisory group comprising child counsellors, child psychologists and police officers will be set up. Also, special officers will inspect their net centres from time to time. The department has already completed the exercise of seeking public opinion on the proposed law. "At the meetings, parents told us that it is difficult to monitor their wards once they are outside home. Once the scrutiny department clears it, the rules which are a part of the Childrens’ Rights Bill will go before the cabinet," sources stated. Cyber cafe owners have welcomed the move. "It is difficult for us to police children. Often, we assume that they are using the net with the permission of their parents. With this rule, we can prohibit children from viewing sites which are not suitable for them," a browsing centre owner said.