O2 Brings In 18+ 3G Content Filter With Children In Mind


March 24th, 2011 • Related • Filed Under

O2 just recently rolled their ‘18+ content filter’ service right across their 3G network in order to protect the youngsters from viewing adult content in the mobile phones. Although the cause seems noble enough, but the problem is, if you are an adult and want to get across to adult contents then you will have to shamefully prove that you are 18 plus to O2, before you can proceed viewing the content.

However, to get your ‘adult age’ proved, you will need to call up the O2 operator to get the filter removed for which you will be charged £1. In order to oversee your payment, you may choose to pay via your credit card. While you pay the needless £1, O2 will compensate your payment by sending you £2.50 of 3G credit. A £1.50 profit might sound a great deal as its free, but it will only last for just over a minute of 3G data usage.

Then again, the credit granting process has been reported to be incredibly time consuming as it takes up to 2 weeks just to get the credit processed into your O2 18+ account. Now that’s far too long and O2 needs to seriously consider this prolonged processing time. In case, you haven’t got a credit card, then you will require visiting your nearest O2 outlet with some identification proof (passport or driving license), to shamelessly prove that you are above 18 and can view adult content. Interestingly, O2 is the only operator to have designed such a content filter for their 3G network users. Although the scheme might turn off a few, but other operators such as Vodafone, Virgin etc, don’t have such schemes to impress parents who are seriously worried about their children fiddling with media content not appropriate for their age. If this move becomes successful, then the other operators might also consider introducing similar filters on 3G network to guard against nudity, porn and other adult contents.

For those who want their 18+ content filter service via their credit card, they will acquire their monthly statement with the amount of credit payment incurred stamped on it.