Connie Sylvanus
LS521 Sp02
Internet Filtering
Children are becoming more and more efficient with searching the Web. But children need to be monitoring while searching because there are sites that are not appropriate for children. Internet filters were designed to assist in keeping children from accessing these inappropriate sites. There is controversy, though, over the appropriateness of filters in the classroom.
My experience as a teacher of primary students is that the Internet filter is an effective tool. I am always in plain sight of a student doing a search, due to only having one computer in my classroom. Therefore, I can constantly monitor what is on the computer screen and make sure the students are going to an appropriate site. The filter installed on our school computer makes me feel more comfortable letting children surf the Net, knowing there is another tool monitoring the children as they work.
Below I have examined the positive and negative attributes of Internet filters.
positive aspects of filtering negative aspects of filtering
Children cannot locate inappropriate Older children are blocked from legitimate
sites. research.
Keeps children from being What group or groups determine what is
frightened or scared by appropriate for our children? Parents,
violent sites. teachers?
Children have less chance Adults may not know what their
of straying onto an inappropriate student is viewing and site may
site. still be inappropriate.
Less supervision needed by Expect filter to take over adult
adults. supervision.
First amendment rights – Freedom of speech
rights are being violated.
Additional software needed – additional
expense for school district.
Additional time needed to disable filter if
necessary for legitimate research
I went to the web site www.security-online.com. This site offered several different programs that would filter material on the Internet. The four programs I looked at were Algorighm, CyberMedia, Kansmen, and Microsystem. After looking over what each four filters provided I couldn’t tell much difference between what they provided.
As a parent and a teacher I feel filters are necessary. It is important that I am responsible for the sites my students and children visit but up to a certain age. When my children were little I wanted them sheltered from pornography and violence. When children become more mature I feel then it is time to educate them on what is appropriate and how to conduct legitimate research. It is our responsibility as parents and teachers to provide children, as they get older, the privilege of making decisions about what is appropriate in books and media. This privilege should also apply to when we allow them to surf online without filters.