A few years ago I tried facebook in an attempt to understand the hype. I gave it a shot but still I didn’t get it. Millions of people use fb every day yet I found it confusing and I always found myself asking “why, why??” A week or so went by, then word got out that Microsoft was pouring money into it… it was time to get out. Seems I’m forever running from those guys at Redmond; hotmail, facebook, yahoo - you name it and Microsoft trashed it. A lot of hoops had to be jumped to close that fb account, which says a lot about such organisations unwilling to accept rejection.

The media loves to talk about personal data and privacy. The world, apparently, is full of scammers, losers, weirdos and pedophiles. SIX BILLION PEOPLE on this planet and the chances are it’s all about YOU. How to list the unfamous?

I can deal with the minority of crackheads in our society by applying some common sense and perspective. I’m more concerned about vulnerable groups of people and data hungry organisations. Which leads me to ask, whoever said the Internet is a child’s product? We don’t sell alcohol to children so why are Internet providers allowing unfiltered services to children? For children, we don’t just need filters on the PC or phone, the only true solution is to do it at the service level; filter in, not filter out.

We live in a society that sings the wonders of freedom yet simultaneously tells us why we should be fearful. Isn’t it time that large Internet providers and mobile operators be required to offer child-safe services?