The government is to consider new online policing plans that would allow broadband service providers to block adult content, in a bid to protect children from inappropriate materials.

A formal inquiry has been launched into online child safety that will assess children's access to pornographic content and the effect it has, as well as what can be done to address the issue.

One key element of this will be to "establish the arguments for and against network-level filtering of content that would require an 18 rating in other forms of media", reports PC Pro.

Heading the inquiry will be MP Claire Perry, who previously suggested a film-style rating system for the web, with adult content automatically filtered out by internet service providers (ISPs).

Users would need to opt in with their providers in order to access such websites under the plans.

More than 60 MPs will be involved in the new review, which will consult with child protection agencies, ISPs and other experts to create a report that will be published in November.

Prime minister David Cameron demonstrated his committed stance to improving protection for youngsters using the internet when supporting Mothers' Union chief executive Reg Bailey's review on the sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood earlier this year.

In a letter to Mr Bailey, he stated that it should be made easier for parents to block children's access to age-restricted material when online.

The industry is already taking certain steps to address this issue, with TalkTalk having recently introduced an optional adult content feature for its broadband services.

A spokesman for Ms Perry confirmed the new inquiry will focus on pornography, but the content filter could also be applied to other adult content, such as violent images.

The MP said: "This inquiry will provide the ideal platform for all interested parties to discuss how best we can protect our children online."

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