Protecting Children Online Like Any Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 789 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 3

Imposing a sort of "rating system" on the Internet interferes with the freedom of expression. Such software could also violate a youth's right to a wide variety of information (Reilly 2001).

Finally, many critics question the effectiveness of such filtering technologies.

Some charge that filtering technologies have a tendency to "overblock" sites. In high schools, for example, some children complain increased difficulty in conducting research on topics like breast cancer and safe sex. Another reported difficulty conducting a search on the term "Mars exploration," because the letters formed the forbidden term "sex." These difficulties interfere with the intent of sharing information over the Internet (Reilly 2001).

Overriding concerns

Critics do have valid concerns, and were able to articulate these all the way to the Supreme Court. The Court, however, rightly ruled that filtering technology remains an effective solution to keeping children away from violent, pornographic or otherwise dangerous content. The issue of "overblocking" can easily be remedied by a librarian or administrator. Future problems can also be prevented as libraries and schools further categorize material into designated safe categories, such as educational or medical research (Rehnquist 2005).

Stuck Writing Your "Protecting Children Online Like Any" Essay?

View All Our Example Protecting Children Online Like Any Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



These filtering software, especially when conducted by libraries, do not constitute censorship. After all, libraries already perform a "gatekeeping" function when they select books and other physical material for their libraries. It would certainly be inappropriate for public libraries to spend taxpayer dollars on pornographic videos. Schools and libraries would be similarly remiss in their duties if they did not manage the online content that comes into their computers.

In conclusion, critics of filtering software and protection-oriented legislation have valid concerns regarding privacy and censorship. However, the dangers that inappropriate material and online predators pose to children are very real. While the task of keeping children safe is the primary task of parents, the rest of society should also share some of the responsibility. Schools and libraries have the mandate of helping to education young people, while keeping them in a safe and nurturing environment. Filtering software does not discount the former goal, and certainly promotes the latter. For these reasons, measures that help protect children online must therefore be supported.

Works.....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Protecting Children Online Like Any" (2006, July 25) Retrieved July 3, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/protecting-children-online-like-71140

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Protecting Children Online Like Any" 25 July 2006. Web.3 July. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/protecting-children-online-like-71140>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Protecting Children Online Like Any", 25 July 2006, Accessed.3 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/protecting-children-online-like-71140
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example