The UK Parliament is to consider regulating the moderation of interactive services as part of the proposed "Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill" (separate DfES notes)that has recently been discussed in the House of Lords. The bill provides for the creation of a national register of "barred persons" which would be referred to by health authorities, education authorities and anyone else hiring people to supervise or work with children and other vulnerable people. The bill specifically mentions that it applies also to those offering "public electronic interactive communication services" such as chat rooms or message boards.
Schedule 3, section (1)(e) ensure that the bill is addressed to those "moderating a public interactive communication service which is likely to be used wholly or mainly by children." Section 2(4) further explains that:
"For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(e) a person moderates a public electronic interactive communication service if, for the purpose of protecting children, he has any function relating to — (a) monitoring the content of matter which forms any part of the service, (b) removing matter from, or preventing the addition of matter to, the service, or (c) controlling access to, or use of, the service."
Many UK websites that are likely to attract children already require police background checks of their staff and major UK moderation providers like chatmoderators and tempero require prospective employees to pass police background checks before entering employment.
In November 2005, following a long consultation process with a task force consisting of internet publishing industry representatives as well as moderation providers and childrens charities, the Home Office issued voluntary guidelines for the moderation of childrens interactive services. Members of the task force are reportedly seeking an urgent consultation about the bill.
If passed, the law would probably make the UK the first country in the World to regulate moderation.