If you are concerned about your child accidentally, or even intentionally, accessing illegal or inappropriate content then you’re not alone. Together with Mumsnet, we asked parents about their experiences of the risks they see with digital piracy. This report will share these risks along with advice and practical tips to keep your child safe when watching TV through internet-connected devices.
What’s inside the report?
According to Mumsnet users, exposure to inappropriate content is the top concern of parents when they consider the risks of digital piracy.
Other parental concerns include the illegality of digital piracy and the risk of Internet-connected devices being susceptible to malware and viruses.
According to Mumsnet users, exposure to inappropriate content is the top concern of parents when they consider the risks of digital piracy.
No safety net for children
Exposure to adult content
Who is breaking the law?
It’s important to know, when it comes to streaming unauthorised copyrighted content; the viewer, the person sharing the stream, and anyone providing links to it are all breaking the law.
Understanding what is legal
The sale and use of streaming devices without illegal software installed on them is fine. But as soon as they’re sold or used with pre-loaded apps that allow users to stream content that should normally be paid for, it is illegal.
Risk of prosecution
Whilst families haven’t yet been the target of police investigations, the consequences of watching pirated content should be considered, both from a legal standpoint and the inappropriate content, children could be exposed to. For example, a man was recently hit with a £85,000 demand for sharing his stream of a pay-to-view boxing match on Facebook with over 4,250 people
There are a few things that you can do to help protect their children from the risks of digital piracy:
See related advice and practical tips to support children online: