The German federal cabinet earlier this week agreed to move forward with legislation that would require Internet service providers (ISPs) to block Web pages containing child pornography.

The new law, which will likely be passed next month, will probably take another three to six months to implement as ISPs move to install and activate blocking systems. To date, major German ISPs serving more than 75 per cent of the market have agreed to participate in blocking activities.

The German initiative follows in the footsteps of other European Union members including Britain, Italy and several Scandinavian countries.

“We don’t want to tolerate the rape of children, even babies, being widely available in Germany,” German Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen told reporters.

The Ministry reports that child pornograpy is a growing problem in Germany, with access to child porn Web sites more doubling between 2006 and 2007.