Kent’s MPs are backing calls to introduce greater regulation of video on the web to stop children accessing the net’s dark side.

One in six schoolchildren sees 'nasty, worrying or frightening’ content on the web according to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

A report states there are no current regulations forbidding websites such as YouTube from publishing harmful content, including hard porn, rape, bullying and fistfights.

In one instance a video of gang rape put up on YouTube was viewed 600 times before it was removed.

The committee is demanding greater control, including a new self-regulation body to clean up the industry. These calls are backed by some of Kent’s MPs, including Jonathan Shaw, Labour MP for Chatham and Aylesford.

“The availability of such videos on the internet is worrying," he said.

“I’m concerned that acts of violence and instances of happy-slapping recorded on mobile phones are transferred to the web for wider consumption.

“I support a review into the risk to children of exposure to harmful or inappropriate content in video games and online.

“We need measures to help prevent children from being exposed to such material and help parents understand and manage the risks of access to inappropriate content.”

~ What do you think? Should there be more regulation of video content on the internet, or should it be down to parents to control what their children watch? Join our online debate >>>