www.iwf.org.uk

The IWF is the only authorised organisation in the UK which provides an internet ‘hotline’ for the public to report their exposure to illegal content online.

The IWF aims to minimise the availability of internet content that contains:

• Child abuse images originating anywhere in the world
• Criminally obscene content hosted in the UK
• Incitement to racial hatred content hosted in the UK

The IWF assess material reported to us through the hotline and forward any relevant details to Law Enforcement Agencies.

“I would like to record my sincere appreciation for the excellent work of the IWF. Behind the scenes the staff work tirelessly to help make the internet a safer place. Their link with industry and future technology is of paramount importance in helping us achieve our aim of protecting children and prosecuting offenders.”
Stuart Hyde, Assistant Chief Constable & ACPO Lead for the Protection of Children on the internet


The IWF works in partnership with UK Government Departments such as the Home Office and the Department of Trade and Industry to influence initiatives and programmes developed to combat online abuse.

This dialogue goes beyond the UK and Europe, to ensure greater awareness of global issues and responsibilities.

The IWF is funded by the EU and the UK internet industry including Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Mobile Operators & manufacturers, Content Service Providers (CSPs) and telecommunications & software companies.

Russell Chadwick, Vice President, CyberPatrol:
“The good work carried out by the IWF cannot be relied upon without commitment and support from industry. SurfControl acknowledges this and we are happy to announce our commitment to an organisation that dedicates its efforts in helping to make the Internet a safer place for all. CyberPatrol share that same vision and commitment in realising a safer online future for all of us, whether we use the Internet in the workplace, the school or the home.”
 

Prime Minister, Tony Blair:
“The UK has perhaps the world’s best regime for tackling child pornography, the Internet Watch Foundtion, and we continue to work closely with the industry, law enforcement agencies and children’s charities to seek ways of protecting children from abuse”

As a result of the IWF’s work and partnerships the amount of illegal content hosted in the UK has been reduced from 18% in 1997 to 0.4% in 2005.

IWF Recommendations for schools and colleges, teachers and parents

• Ensure appropriate filtering mechanisms are in place to block inappropriate content.

• Understand how these filtering mechanisms work, what content they filter out and what they allow through. Be aware of how to activate and de-activate filtering – young internet users often know how to do this too!

• Be aware of relevant support services & organisations in place to deal with unwanted, offensive, harmful or potentially illegal internet content. Be sure that any internet users you supervise are aware of these services too. E.g. IWF deals with potentially illegal content.

• Be aware of the law on illegal content, specifically indecent images of children.
  www.iwf.org.uk/hotline/uk_law.html
• Understand the implications and consequences should such content be found on your network; how to handle them correctly and where to report them to.
  www.iwf.org.uk/hotline/uk_law.html
• Ensure you have an Acceptable Internet Use policy in place which outlines best practice guidelines for internet use for staff and students. Internal procedures must be regularly explained and clarified, including consequences for transgression.
• Be aware of changing technologies; internet content can be accessed by mobile devices too.
• Explain to students what they should do if they are exposed to any images which may be potentially harmful, offensive, upsetting or illegal: They should tell someone about this, preferably an adult, who can then advise and/or take appropriate action.

IWF Resources for schools and colleges, teachers and parents

• IWF literature: leaflet and annual report
• IWF website: ensure staff are aware of the role and remit of the IWF and are able to file a report if necessary.
• IWF personnel specialist knowledge and skills: for dealing with questions and queries

As the number of people using the internet and the diversity of content available continues to grow, the mechanisms of dealing with illegal content must be better known and understood.

In partnership with many organisations,the Internet Watch Foundation strives to create continued awareness of the role and purpose of the IWF and aims to foster trust and reassurance in the internet for current and future users.

www.iwf.org.uk