No+to+National+Web+Filtering+Guidelines

=Introduction =

We teach our kids what to do when a stranger approaches. We teach our kids what to do if they get lost in the shopping mall. We teach our kids how to cross the street. We do not put our kids in a bubble and expect them not to experience life. Why should using the internet be any different? Yes, we would like to sensor our kids from certain dangers in the world, however we do not have that luxury, instead we have to prepared them for life’s events, good and bad. Instead of simply blocking the dangers on the internet, we should teach our kids/students how to use the internet correctly and effectively. We should teach them what to do when they come to a site with inappropriate images or content, bullying, harassment and/or sexual predators in chatrooms.

The "World Wide Web" was designed in 1989 to be a place where people could exchange information freely "via interlinked hypertext documents." (Daily Bits, 2008) The World Wide Web has successfully achieved its goal but some countries are trying hard to keep a lock on the information their countrymen can find and post. (Daily Bits, 2008) Some of these countries include Pakistan, Burma, Yemen, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, China, etc. (Daily Bits, 2008) The United States was built on the idea of freedom, by nationally filtering the web we put our country into the same category as the countries above. National Web Filtering may start out simply as in just blocking anti-American sites and illegal pornographic sites but can eventually turn into what goes on in China with their Google blocks and "Internet Police." (French, 2006) China has approximately 500,000 agents who search for inappropriate comments on the internet, which can lead to arrest if the comments are considered anti-Communist. (French, 2006)

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=National Web Filters Won't Work﻿=

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Web Filtering software is set up with a “catch all” mentality. While the intent is to keep children from accessing potentially dangerous, profane or obscene content on the internet, the strict filtering guidelines block a wide variety of perfectly safe and useful websites. A government official who supports the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) testified that “6 to 15 percent of blocked sites that he analyzed did not contain…sexually explicit content.” (Kranich, 2004) This was supported by an experienced librarian, Ann Liplow, who verified that nearly all of “these blocked sites were appropriate for public library users of any age.”(Kranich, 2004) This overblocking restricts access to countless valuable and safe resources that could be used for instructional purposes. ======

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 "Filters are perhaps the most widely used of all the technological tools intended to protect children from exposure to inappropriate materials." (The National Academies) However, using these filtering tools have drawbacks. First, when using a filtering system there is such as thing as overblocking. Filters use key words to block material and some words can be taken out of context, therefore preventing the use of beneficial material. "Groups such as Peacefire and The Censorware Project began documenting the problem of erroneous blocking, with examples ranging from information on breast cancer and pussy willows to Beaver College, magna cum laude, and the Web site of Congressman Dick Armey." (The Free Expression Policy Project) Overblocking also restricts students from being able to do research on important topics. Web Filtering "also prevents them (students) from accessing information on health, like breast cancer and sexually transmitted diseases, among other subjects. Ordinary students completing research projects are affected by lack of unblocked informational websites." (Herrera, 2010) An editorial that appeared in //USA TODAY// on August 5, 2003 by Vicki Rideout, Vice- President of Kaiser Family Foundations, makes a good point when she talks about a young girl who is thinking about having sex for the first time. This young girl is wanting to use the Internet to find out about sexually transmitted diseases by checking out the Center for Disease Control and Prevention or better yet, ways to have safe sex, and yet the filter blocks her from this valuable information. The article goes on to address other concerns that teenagers face without being able to look up such as suicide and depression; topics that teenagers want to keep quiet about while they search for answers to their questions. According to the article, "As many as half of all sites on sensitive topics such as sexual health can be blocked" and with as many issues as teens face these days it is shocking to know that filters prevent vital information to be obtained by teens. This is especially shocking when the article states that "three out of four older teens have gone online for health information."======

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There is also such a thing as underblocking. New information is submitted on the internet every second. Unless the filtering systems are constantly updating their systems it would not be possible to continuously block that material. Finally using filters "denies responsible choice: The use of filters doesn’t allow children, including older adolescents, the opportunity to develop their own decision-making skills, which are what children rely on when they surf away from home." (The National Academies) ======

Helping our students make responsible choices goes even further when it comes to breaking the rules. As much as filters seek to try and filter out the bad content, there are ways around them. The fact is that there are many sites that detail out how to bypass Internet filters, just Google it. You will see, and you can learn too! What is not being said about these sites is who are the individuals who have the know-how on how to get around these filters. However, pick up your a daily news paper and you will find out. More than likely, it is a tech-savvy kid. In Katie Ash's article "Tech-Savvy Students Hack into School Computers," the principal, Michael Wilson, of Haddonfield Memorial High, where some of his students hacked into the school computers to change grades shares some insight on today's students. 'Students are very, very tech-savvy. Far more savvy than the majority of adults at our school,' says Wilson. (Ash, 2010) The fact is, students have more technological knowledge than most adults; including teachers and school technology directors.

=Alternatives to Web Filters and Deterants to Cyber Mischief=

Now that we have discussed some of the reasons that implementing National Web Filter guidelines is not necessarily the best practice in keeping our children safe on the Internet, let's talk about some alternatives. The first alternative is one of school policy. Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) have become an increasing popular Internet policy that schools are developing. “An AUP is a written agreement signed by teachers, students and their parents that outlines the terms and conditions of Internet use, rules of online behavior, access privileges and penalties for violations of the policy. Anyone using the school's Internet connections should be required to sign the AUP. In addition, schools should consult their attorneys for legal guidance in drafting an AUP.” (8e6 Technologies, 2007) Sample AUPs can be found all over the Internet. Just Google "K-12 Acceptable Use Policy" to find numerous samples and tips. The United States Department of Justice has a model Acceptable Use Policy that school districts can use to construct and use as a base-line in implementing AUPs in their schools. This example may be accessed at: @http://www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/rules/acceptableUsePolicy.htm

Once an AUP is in place, it should not be a static document that rolls over year-to-year. Schools should make sure to update their AUPs as often as technological changes happen, which is constantly. "Talia Colwell, a security specialist for the Vernon Hills, Ill.-based technology company [|**CDW-G**], says it’s important for schools to treat their acceptable-use policies as living, breathing documents. The policies should be updated to reflect the latest technological developments, and students and faculty members should be familiar with those changes." (Ash, 2010)

Another great deterent is making sure that students, parents and teachers are aware of the consequences of violating an AUP. School attorneys should be consulted in detailing out legal consequences for violating an AUP.

Educating teachers, students, and parents about the consequences of tampering with school networks is the first step to protecting school data, says Harold R. Rowe, the Associate Superintendent for Technology and School Services at the 100,000-student Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Houston.

Emphasizing digital citizenship and ensuring strong authentication measures and passwords are the most important ways to prevent threats, says Rowe, who also sits on the advisory board for the Cyber Security for the Digital District Leadership initiative of the Consortium for School Networking, an ed-tech advocacy group based in Washington. In addition, administrators need to be consistent and upfront about the consequences for violators, says Rowe. (Ash, 2010)

=Teaching Internet Safety =

Teaching students about Internet safety should come not only at school, but at home as well. School districts are sponsoring teacher in-services and parent nights on the topic. All those involved agree that educators and parents need accurate, current information and instruction on safe use of the Internet. Because of the increased awareness of this topic, there is a plethora of free materials available to both educators and parents applicable to students of all ages. For example, Common Sense Media has the CyberSmart! program ([]), a free module geared toward educators containing lesson plans, interactive components and parent resources by grade level. Topics covered in the curriculum include online safety and security, proper Internet behavior and cyberbullying, among others. The National Center for Missing and Exploiting Children maintains the Net Smartz Workshop website([]) which provides materials for educators, parents, law enforcement and students. The site offers videos and activities for educators to present in the classroom, activities and videos for students based on age, up-to-date statistics and news on various topics of Internet safety and even a dowloadable video presentation that PTA boards can screen at their meetings.

**Internet Filter** By Bud Hunt

It’s all about the filter. I want to read with you, to bleed with you But I can’t because
 * Internet access to the requested website has been denied based on your user profile and organization's Internet Usage Policy.**

I want you to see this, to know this To think about how you own this But I can’t because
 * Internet access to the requested website has been denied based on your user profile and organization's Internet Usage Policy.**

It’s funny because I read this story last night And I want you to see it Here Take a look:
 * Internet access to the requested website has been denied based on your user profile and organization's Internet Usage Policy.**

Somewhere, someone can view What it is I want you to see But not you And not me Take a look and we’ll get =
 * Internet access to the requested website has been denied based on your user profile and organization's Internet Usage Policy**.

Bottom line, nothing compares to parents teaching children about the vast information that is available and preparing them for what they need to do with all of that information. Parents need to accept that role. Since regardless of the level of filtering involved, there are many factors out of the control of even the most advanced filtering program. First, the majority of our children today are significantly more technologically savvy than their parents. How long will it take most children to figure out a way to work around the security measures? Children can use portals to bypass the filters, or they can use a proxy to unblock restricted material. What then? Second, not all homes have filters and not all parents place value on monitoring and supervising Internet access. So, although the child’s home environment is content controlled, what happens when children visit friends from homes with less of a focus on Internet safety. In both situations, if parents have not taught how to deal with what can be accessed (the good and the bad), the benefits of the filtering process have been lost. After all, when parents rely on tools such as filtering software, aren’t these parents giving up another important aspect to parenting—molding.

= =References =


 * 1) [|Why Filters Won't Protect Children or Adults] - Nancy Kranich, Winter 2004 - Retrieved 10-26-10
 * 2) [|Net Safe Kids Filtering]- The National Academies - Retrieved 10-27-10
 * 3) [|The Free Expression Policy Project]- Retrieved 10-27-10
 * 4) Web Filtering Cartoon - Retrieved 10-28-10
 * 5) [|Two Students, Two Opinions about Internet Filter] - Laura Herrera. 3-21-10 - Retrieved on 10-29-10
 * 6) [|Internet Filters Block Valuable Data, too]- Vicki Rideout, 8-5-03 - Retrieved 10-29-10
 * 7) [|Internet Frustration] Bud Hunt, 4-26-05 - Retrieved on 10-29-10
 * 8) Top 10 Countries Censoring the Web Nick. Daily Bits 10-28-10 Retrieved 10-29-10
 * 9) [|As Chinese Students Go Online, Little Sister Is Watching] Howard W. French. New York Times. 05-09-06. Retrieved 10-29-10
 * 10) Model Acceptable Use Policy - Information Technology Resources in the SchoolsUnited States Department of Justice. Retrieved 10-29-10
 * 11) [|Internet Acceptable Use Policy - Best Practices for K-12]. 8e6 Technologies. Revised 3-23-2007. Retrived 10-30-10
 * 12) Tech-Savvy Students Hack Into School Computers - Katie Ash. Education Week. Online Publication 6-10-10. Retrieved 10-30-10
 * 13) [|What Every Parent Should Know About Using Technology]- James Banks. American Family Association Online. Retrieved on 10-30-10.
 * 14) [|The Disadvantages of Filtering an Internet Connection]. Daniel Foster. Retrieved on 10-30-10.