This article was first published by Verlag, Dr. Otto Schmidt, Koln on 15 April 2004 in CRI - Computer Law Review International , Issue 2.
Over 1,7 million minors in Italy surf the internet for an average of 11,5 hours a month. Paedophilia and the spread of adult material over the web is one of the major concerns of the legislator. However, there has been some criticism raised over attempts to regulate web access to children based on the suggestion that such regulations could constitute a threat to freedom of information resulting in the unjustified censorship of web material.
Despite some criticism, the creation of legal means aimed at the prevention of so-called "social destruction" deriving from distorted and improper use of the new technologies, remains the general approach taken amongst international legislators. This trend is confirmed by the adoption in Italy on 19 November 2003 of a Self Regulating Code entitled ‘Internet and Minors’. The Code was also followed up by a
