The Italian Government has decided to work in a way that effectively blocks access to violent sexual content, in order to protect children from online pornography, following the recent cases of sexual abuse against minors that have shaken the country.
Two cousins, aged 10 and 12, were subjected to violation by a group of young individuals in Caivano (Naples). Various societal figures, including the parish priest and Rocco Siffredi, the Italian adult film actor, have already called for action. The Minister of Family, Eugenia Roccella, has clarified that the intention is not to censor but to safeguard children.
He explained that it is increasingly violent and extreme, experts estimate today that the average age of children’s first contact with pornography is 7 years.
As “it has tragically emerged in Caivano,” it is “one of the main issues of the current educational crisis” for the Executive presided over by Giorgia Meloni, as the minister has made clear in several statements to the media in recent days.
Roccella has stated that “leaving them alone” is not necessary because we are infinitely better than children and new technologies travel through this content, which is why families often experience a sense of powerlessness.
One effective way to block access to pornographic websites for minors focuses on measures that block access to these sites. It is evident that relying solely on the self-certification of age, which the majority of users who are 18 years or older can simply claim to access, does not prevent access.
“Stated the minister, “We will employ third-party services to oversee law enforcement. We must hold websites accountable for age verification, but without entrusting them with user data.”
On Sunday, Scorza Guido, a member of the Personal Data Protection Authority, elucidated in Repubblica newspaper that pornographic platforms will be required to rely on “reliable third parties” – specialized applications solely dedicated to verifying users’ age – in return for compensation.
The expert adds, “without providing more information, whether the person wishing to access a pornographic video is a minor or an adult, these applications can determine through documents, artificial intelligence, or questionnaires.”
In order for it to be “truly used,” Roccella has also emphasized other “tools, such as parental control, that are rarely used and require more advertising and promotion.”
Roccella has stated, “The Government will not avoid this issue, which, moreover, is being raised in many parts of the world. That the body is separate from the person, that the consent of the woman is not necessary? In the emotional and sexual realm, what do we want them to learn at the age of formation? For our boys, we strive to provide them with good food, good schools, a good education.”
According to experts, it is warned that it could now spread even further, where there is already a lot of pornographic material circulating, excluding social networks and chats. However, the proposal from the Government of the far-right Meloni has already received some criticism, as it is aimed at websites in the pornographic industry on the web.