Fritz Allison

slm 521 sp03

3/1/03

filterelective

Cons of Filtering

1. One disadvantage to filtering software is that certain websites will get accidentally blocked because of the keywords that are in the site, such sites about breast cancer.

2. The filtering companies may choose to block a website that is appropriate because of their own political agenda, such as blocking TIME's website because they print an article against a certain filtering program.

3. Computer users cannot get a list of websites that are blocked before they purchase a program, and then most of the programs encrypt their list so that users still cannot see the list.

4. The only way to find out for sure if sites are being blocked is by loading the software and running the program. Some URL's may be on the not blocked list but you can still get to them and vice versa.

5. Companies may remove sites from their blocked list, but in order for you to get them you have to again download the updated list.

Pros of Filtering

1. Filtering programs can help to keep your children from viewing some websites that you feel are inappropriate.

2. Filtering software may help to keep children off of internet sites and chat rooms where sexual predators search for victims.

3. With filtering software the amount of time spent online can be managed.

4. Filtering systems may help keep students from getting into trouble at school by not allowing them to get onto sites that may be inappropriate.

5. Some of the filtering systems help to limit the amount of spam that users receive via e-mail.