TalkTalk blocks 1m websites with HomeSafe online safety service

TalkTalk's HomeSafe network-level online safety solution has blocked more than one million websites at the request of its customers since its launch five months ago.

According to the internet service provider (ISP), the most commonly restricted sites were those that contain suicide and self-harm content, followed by pornography, violence and weapons, and dating. Social media sites were the ninth most blocked.

More than 150,000 of the telecoms firm's broadband subscribers have now signed up to HomeSafe.

By releasing HomeSafe in May, TalkTalk became the only ISP to offer parental controls that protect all devices using a home broadband connection, including laptops, PCs and games consoles.

Parents can use the free-of-charge software to block certain types of content, such as violence, gambling and pornography, and restrict access to social media and online gaming sites at specific times of day.

Research from the company revealed 20 per cent of British parents feel their children's grades are being hampered by excessive social networking.

Dido Harding, chief executive of TalkTalk, said: "We believe that internet safety should be taken as seriously as road safety.

"We also hope to see other ISPs follow TalkTalk's lead and offer new and effective parental controls like HomeSafe."