Filters are computer programs that are designed to control access to certain types of internet content. Their usage is not mandatory in Australia; however, they are popular amongst young families where parental supervision is not always available. Each Internet Service Provider (ISP) is required to supply one or more approved filter software products or services. While this service is not necessarily free, it is a user determined system which means users can chose whether or not they want to install a filter.
The problem with current filters is that most are working on vocabulary recognition which means that some sites that may be providing educational information about a topic are blocked because the ‘key words’ could relate to offensive content.The Australian Institute stated campaigning for mandatory filtering of content by Australian ISPs in March 2003. The report did not have conclusive evidence to suggest that it would be effective in filtering all offensive content. The proposal contained no suggestions for overcoming the technical complexity of making ISPs comply and failed to mention that “adults' and childrens' access to a vast amount of innocuous information and online services such as language translators would have to be blocked� (EFA, 2003).
The Australian Internet Industry Association (IIA) provides a list of IIA Scheduled Filters as well as internet sites to aid parents in how to control childrens access to offensive content, as well as sites to help in limiting ‘spam’. The lists have been developed in conjunction with CSIRO, NetAlert and the Australian Broadcasting Authority.
Kathryn Badger 11:46, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
Privacy_and_New_Technologies-Children's_privacy_on_the_internet
Internet_Pornography_Censorship:_Filtering_Technology
Kathryn Badger 11:46, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
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Kathryn Badger 11:46, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
