Mobile content standards

How we protect the young and vulnerable With the spread of mobile technology, phones with enhanced features like colour screens, video and picture messaging and internet browsers are widely available. These provide access to an increasing variety of services – but have also raised some sensitive social issues on content.

The vast majority of commercial content is suitable for customers of all ages. But some of it - including pornography, gambling, violent video games and some chat services - is only suitable for consenting adults over 18 years of age.

We respect our customers' freedom to decide how they use their mobile phone and the content they access through our network. At the same time, we fully recognise a responsibility to protect the vulnerable, particularly children, and we provide parents with the controls they need to ensure appropriate access.

So how do we make sure we protect young people?

O2 has participated in the debate and encouraged other industry players to develop an industry-wide Code of Practice for mobile data services.

In conjunction with the Irish Cellular Industry, Irish mobile operators introduced the Irish Code of Practice in 2004.

This covers responsible and secure use of mobile services and sets standards on issues such as parental controls, inappropriate or offensive communications, premium rate services, internet access and user education. Dual access services are also available, where parents can monitor their child’s mobile phone usage.

In Germany, O2 has worked with other operators to draw up a code of conduct on mobile content to block adult services from the under-aged. The code came into effect in September 2005. It will enable parents to monitor what their children look at and listen to – including filtering, content selection and call barring. In Ireland, unlike the UK and the rest of Europe, no mobile operator currently offers adult content or adult chat services.

In the UK and Germany, O2 does not publish 18-rated content under the O2 brand. Instead we work with commercial partners to bring 18-rated content to appropriate audiences. To ensure this is properly controlled, we introduced age-verification processes to stores and online in 2005. We also offer parental control tools to restrict internet access to the under-aged and we monitor chat rooms 24 hours a day to make sure they are not used for inappropriate contacts. We also offer help to young callers in distress.

In all our markets we publish child-protection guidance, giving parents and guardians practical help on issues such as handset theft, bullying, the safe use of camera phones and public forums or chat rooms.

Our content standards web pages also include information for parents and guardians, outlining O2’s own policies for content standards, as well as information for commercial content partners and all other interested stakeholders.