The new measures will mean that in future anyone buying a new computer or signing up with a new internet service provider (ISP) will be asked, when they log on for the first time, whether they have children.

If the answer is “yes”, the parent will be taken through the process of installing anti-pornography filters, as well as a series of questions on how stringent they wish the restrictions to be, according to a newspaper.

The options include allowing parents to impose timed access limits on explicit material, or preventing children from viewing social networking sites such as Facebook during particular hours of the day.

Ministers will also tell ISPs to impose “appropriate measures” to make sure that those setting the controls are over 18, according to the Daily Mail.

They will also be told to prompt existing customers to install the technology to block pornography.

The measures, which are expected to be unveiled by the Government later this month, go further than recommendations drawn up by Reg Bailey, head of the Mother’s Union, who was asked by ministers to look into the matter.

Ministers are expected to tell ISPs that they must bring in the new rules or face legislation

A Downing Street source told the Mail: “We know lots of parents are concerned
about the material their children are accessing on the internet and we want to do more to help. We’ve consulted on a variety of options on how we can make it safer for children online.

“Internet service providers have made great progress to date in implementing ‘active choice’ controls, as recommended by Reg Bailey, where all users are asked if they want to switch on parental controls.

“After intervention from the Prime Minister, the Government is urging providers to go one step further and make sure their systems actively encourage parents, whether they are new or existing customers, to switch on parental controls.”