The exposure to degradable and unwanted information is a growing concern within society. One way to minimize the availability of this information is through the sense of censorship. While this may reduce some panic within society, it does not fully decrease the exposure and accessibility of negative websites to children and adults.
Traditionally, material has been censored on three main grounds: obscenity, blasphemy and sedition. In other words, objections are to the sexual, religious and political content of material (Williams & Dillon, 1993, p.11). This indicates exactly to what extent censorship rules and guidelines are needed in protecting people from the downgrading information that can be found on the Internet.
While there is no constant monitoring within schools or at home, there are few solutions that will help those at home feel more safe and secure with the content that their loved ones may come across.
The introduction of the Protection of Children from Computer Pornography Act of 1995 by Senator Chuck Grassley, has seen it being illegal for anyone to knowingly or recklessly transmit indecent material to minors. This bill will prohibit on-line computer services from allowing individual users to indiscriminately pass obscene material to children (1995, http://www.antipope.org/charlie/journo/cyberpanic.html). This is one element of censorship that has taken place in order to protect society from harmful information.
Another solution is that companies now sell internet news feeds and web proxy access that is vetted in accordance with a list of forbidden topics (1995, http://www.antipope.org/charlie/journo/cyberpanic.html). This enables parents to let their children search the internet without worrying about the objectionable information content that they might find. By selecting a menu option and entering a specific password, parents have been given the opportunity of blocking children’s access to adult-oriented discussions and information (Spalding, Gilding, & Patrick, 1996, p. 15).
Another simple way to sensitise the type of content that can be accessed by minors/people is by placing the computer in a family room, in which constant monitering can be maintained by parents, teachers and those alike. This simple and easy method is effective in that it deters people from poking around in the darker portions of the Internet (1995, http://www.antipope.org/charlie/journo/cyberpanic.html).
While these censorship attributes do not completely minimize the amount of indecent information exposed to people, it does help in maintaining and controlling the sources of information that can be obtained through the Internet.
Spalding, B, Gilding, J, & Patrick, K. (1996) Management of Student Access to Controversial Material on the Internet, Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.ISBN 0644360631
Moral Panics on the Net (1995) Retrieved October 26, 2004, from http://www.antipope.org/charlie/journo/cyberpanic.html
Williams, C, & Dillon, K. (1993) Brought to Book: Censorship and School Libraries in Australia, Port Melbourne: D.W Thorpe/ALIA Press.
Katie Johnson 09:26, 29 Oct 2004 (EST)
