The Pros and Cons of Web Filtering

By Erica R. Plappert

SLM 521 • Spring 2003

Pros

Cons

§ Filtering programs make the Internet safer for children by blocking inappropriate or potential harmful material such as pornography and chat rooms. § Filtering software is becoming more sophisticated as time progresses. § The use of filtering software in schools serves the needs of many families by protecting children from desensitizing material that may conflict with their values. § Some filtering programs eliminate unwanted pop-up advertisements that may tempt children or hinder their computer use. § Some filtering programs prevent online tracking to increase privacy. § It is the responsibility of the schools to protect children from harmful material when they are at school.

§ Many wonderful and informative websites (ex. TIME Magazine, AIDS Quilt, and Breast Cancer Legislation) are blocked both accidentally and deliberately by these programs. § It is very difficult to find out which sites are blocked by each filtering program other than by trial-and-error making it difficult to choose the right filter for your needs. § Current filtering programs have low accuracy rates and are prone to error. § Filtering programs have been found in violation of the First Amendment. § The Electronic Privacy Information Center has determined that filtering programs prevent students from obtaining useful information that would otherwise be available to them when conducting research online. § Even with all of this blocking, children may still find inappropriate websites. § Students should be allowed to have “the freedom, responsibility, and intellectual independence to learn and benefit (TECH CORPS)” from their online experiences. § Many filtering programs do not allow the teacher to customize or tweak the program in order to allow a website that the teacher knows is okay. § Filters may be costly in money and in maintenance time.