Karen Roof July 10

Karen Roof
July 10, 2003

Elective Assignment: Filtering

Filtering involves the blocking of particular selected websites and locations from computers. Because the issue is controversial, in that it limits the choices and freedoms of minors, it is important to examine both the pros and cons of the process. In the table below is a list of facts to support each side of the filtering issue.

Pros	Cons
1. Filtering reduces the risk of a child's exposure to online predators, including pedophiles.	1. Filtering violates the 1st Amendment rights of minors (person under the age of 18).
2. Filtering limits the access of young people to illegal internet pornography.	2. Filtering eliminates the free choice and free will of young and inquiring minds.
3. Filtering allows for the safe assurance that children will not be exposed to adult or other inappropriate websites.	3. Filtering instills in the minds of our young people certain ideas and beliefs that may not necessarily be correct (i.e. cursing is wrong; the earth was not created by a higher power, etc.). The process shelters youth from the realities of the world outside them.
4. Filtering discourages and minimizes the communication with strangers in certain online chat rooms.	4. Filtering limits the responsibility of mature teenagers. Why should a teen capable of working two jobs and making a monthly car payment be prohibited online freedom?
5. Filtering allows parents to decide what is appropriate and healthy for their children.	5. Filtering restricts and inhibits democracy in that it limits the freedoms of some, while recognizing that same freedom for others.