Blocking & Filtering Essay -- essays research papers

"Any content-based regulation of the cyberspace, no matter how benign the purpose, could burn the global village to roast the pig."U.S. overbearing Court majority decision, Reno v. ACLU (June 26, 1997) Blocking and filtering parcel for the Internet is one of the most hotly debated topics regarding free speech and the Internet. Many have criticized breaking software for universe both under and over inclusive, and others have argued that stop software should not be used at all in public institutions such as libraries and schools. On the other side, supporters of stoppage software claim that is a legitimate method to regulate addition to "inappropriate" material on the Internet, especially access for minors. But, before we begin to look at these debates directly, we have to examine how the different types of blocking software available work. Nearly all blocking software contains some(prenominal) blows that enable the user to customize it for their particular pr eferences. Users can set the particular levels and/or categories they want the software to screen. So, for example, a user could instruct his browser to block all nudity and sex acts, but still allow sex education and intolerance, while another users could do the opposite. Another common feature is the efficacy to unblock particular web sites when they are blocked. So, if a user was attempting to access the CNN web site, and it was blocked because it contained, for example, the Starr report, the user could unblock it. A final common feature of most blocking software is that it can be constructioned on and off for particular users on a particular machine, so that parents can turn the software on when their children are using the computer, but allow themselves unlimited access. Blocking software works in several major ways blocking by word, blocking particular sites, blocking all sites except those on a "white list," and blocking by preset ratings.Most of the first blocking software worked by blocking words the software would scan web sites for certain, unacceptable words such as "breast" or "sex." This type of software was often ridiculed, because it is ridiculously over broad, for example blocking sites on breast cancer or news sites ab aside the President. In addition, this type of blocking has the injustice of not being able to scan pictures for unacceptable m... ...ts computers. Representative Bob Franks of New Jersey introduced a similar bill in the House, dubbed the "Safe Schools Internet Act of 1999".In addition, the constitutionality of library filters has been, and continues to be, litigated in several cases. All cases decided to this point have declared mandatory filters on all library computers to be unconstitutional.Many argue that the PICS system is the best way to provide for parental empowerment in order to manage their childrens internet use. These people point out that, at least for now, the PICS system is vo luntary and that third parties can rate sites. The rating systems used in conjunction with PICS establish a uniform beat that parents can rely on, instead of the opinions of software companies list makers. The purpose behind Internet filters is to provide parents, educators and other with an effective tool to protect minors from insidious material through their computers. At first blush they appear to be a uncomplicated technological fix to the problem of indecency on the Internet. However, this simple solution has touched off a firestorm of controversy, which show no signs of cooling off in the near future.