It’s clearly not working for those trying to protect our government’s top-secret files, but the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is giving it a shot: we’re talking about taming the Internet.

Effective March 1, 2011, advertising regulations (as enforced by this independent regulator of advertising across all media, including TV, Internet, sales promotions, and direct marketing) will be extended to cover retailers’ websites and non paid-for messages on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

ASA currently only covers advertisements in paid-for arenas, but by next March, its rule will extend to the online world in the hopes that the rules centered on misleading advertising, social responsibility, and protection of children will be successfully applied there as well.