Jacki Stranathan

Slm 521

Filtering

Filtering is this right? In reading these articles on the 2 sides of the issue there are both Pros and Cons to this controversial issue. Below are the 2 major points I see as Pros and Cons.

Pros

The absolute pro to filtering is that it keeps our students safe. As educators we MUST teach age appropriate things on the Internet, without filtering, there is the danger of some very inappropriate stuff popping up. I know one time I put in a search for our church, Lakeside and a very pornographic site came up. This was on our computer at home luckily not at school. At school I have noticed that their filters work well.

Cons

The major objection to filters is of course, this is censorship. And censorship over the Internet is harder control then it is with books. Teachers can lead students to age appropriate material, but unless there are filters on the school’s computers, teachers can not supervise 24 students navigating the Internet.

www.enough.org/search.htm

• I really liked the mission statement of this site. To make the Internet safer for children and families

To sum up my feelings I pulled a quote from one of the sites:

"Software is no substitute for parental guidance. Most products can be defeated; those that can't, are so restrictive that kids may be prevented from getting the most from their online experience. Our advice: supervise your children when they're online, just as you do during other activities. Software, the government, standards, organizations, the V-chip - none can replace Mom or Dad as co-pilot."

CNET: The Computer Network, 8 Programs to Porn-Proof the Net