The majority of child pornography images are shared across the internet through peer-to-peer files and not through websites, InternetNZ says.

Because of this, the government’s development of the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System will not necessarily stop these images from being shared between abusers or decrease the demand for child pornography.

Censorship software is coming to the New Zealand internet - but unlike Australia, our site filtering programme is voluntary for internet service providers, and centres around software custom developed to exclusively target images of child sexual abuse.

Bloggers have been immediately dubious about the Department of Internal Affairs’ new filtering programme, officially announced today.

Among the big ISPs, some are saying yes to the Department of Internal Affairs’ new Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System, and some no. Others are still considering the site-blocking software, which will be rolled out over the next couple of months.

From July 1, all PCs sold in China must have a government censorship programme pre-installed. The software, called “Green Dam Youth Escort” will block access to websites on a list constantly updated by the government.