This guidance was originally produced in 2005 following the reference in the previous good practice guidance – on chat, instant messaging and web based services – to the fact that some interactive services were “moderated” and others were not.
The importance of moderated services was seen within the context of public concern about online spaces, and in particular chatrooms, where children were potentially at risk from undesirable contact or behaviour from adults in order to “groom” and sexually abuse them.
The guidance addressed the potential risks to children using interactive services including inappropriate content and contact.