Isn’t it time we got a grip and sorted some of this out? Last year, the IWF (Internet Watch Foundation) had more than 31,000 reports of websites which had alleged child abuse images. Around 10% of this actually had indecent images of children, which were under the age of 12.

31,776 reports processed
10,656 pages contained child abuse content
3,077 websites contained all of the images
1,667 were commercial websites
10.5% of all pages were on photo sharing websites
91% of victims appear to be under 12 years old

Peter Robbins, chief executive of the IWF, said that the US was the worst offender, principally because of access to technology and its geography.

Microsoft are trying to play a part in increasing web safety with such safety features being implimented in Windows Live Messenger, Hotmail and Spaces, with a standalone product, Family Safety, being released later in August according to internal sources. Is this enough? Should the software giant be doing more to promote web safety seeing as it’s their products being used to do these things? Comment ahoy.

Parts sourced: BBC News

The Windows Live OneCare Family Safety product, even though a beta refresh was issued last week, will now launch in summer as opposed to over the coming few weeks. Due to organisational restructuring, most likely due to Steve Berkowitz throwing his hat down, the product is not on hold but rather extended the program for more development.

This is a surprise as the product is in effect nearly done, but due to heads rolling and people moving, there is more focus on getting new people in than getting the product finished.

You heard it here first.

Parents with kids who use Messenger like it’s some sort of life support system never fear - you will soon (very soon as a matter of fact) be able to choke your kids with the virtual rope of the Internet and the Windows Live Family Safety program - maybe not the most apt of descriptions but you see where I’m coming from.

To put this clearly - the parent’s Windows Live ID will oversee the child’s Windows Live ID (as the Family Safety product does anyway), but now parents will be able to approve and decline contacts to the child’s Windows Live Messenger view. Parents will be able to view information on the person who’s about to be added, view their Space, check ages etc.

How brilliant - this will really reduce the amount of abuse in Windows Live Messenger. Finally I can say, go Microsoft