The UK Home Office is considering a new law that would make it a
criminal offence for someone to pose as a teenager in internet
chatrooms. Its aim is to stop suspected sex offenders from trying
to pick up child victims, according to a report by The Independent.
The Home Office told OUT-LAW.COM that a Parliamentary Question
will be answered today on setting up an Internet Task Force to be
chaired by Home Office minister Lord Bassam with membership from
the internet industry and child protection groups. The Task Force
is expected to draft the new “Anti-Grooming Order”.
Under the proposed Order, according to The Independent’s report,
parents, children and the police could apply for an injunction
order against anyone suspected of using the internet to find – or
“groom” child victims by either lying about their age or giving
false personal details. Breaking such an order would result in a
possible five-year prison term. The police and ISPs would be
expected to monitor chatrooms for such illegal use, an burden which
is likely to be impossible to meet.
The Independent observes that, controversially, the proposal
would “outlaw conduct that is merely preparatory to a crime but
where the offence itself has not taken place or been
attempted.”
There are already laws against asking a child under 16 to meet
for sexual purposes or asking a child to perform indecent acts. IT
news site The Register is calling for the Home Office proposal to
be scrapped and instead recommends educating children about the
potential dangers of internet chatrooms.
