Phone operators agree to bar children from internet pornography

SIX of the largest mobile phone operators are joining forces to bar children who buy the latest internet mobile phones from using pornography, gambling and other adult services.

The companies are launching a joint scheme to classify as “18” adult sites that can be accessed with new “third generation” handsets. The self-regulation scheme has been agreed by operators Orange, O2, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Vodafone and 3.

It is the first time a censorship system has been introduced for the internet, mirroring long-established schemes for movies, videos and video games.