INTERNET FILTERING SOFTWAREby Madelaine MacLeod
In the article “Internet Filtering Software,” author Rebecca Meeder considers the pros and cons of internet filtering software often installed on publicly accessible computers. Filtering software, while extremely expensive, prevents access to questionable material on the web such as pornography, graphic pictures, hate group sites, etc. Some individuals view such blocks as a form of censorship; others feel it is important to limit access to minors in the school environment. Filtering software, however, also prevents students from doing research on such controversial topics. For example, if a research project includes discussion on AIDS, filtering software such as XSTOP would prevent access to sites that provide information and statistics – sites deemed appropriate by the teacher.
I would agree with Meeder’s suggestions that discussions about the ethical issues surrounding censorship and what is appropriate or not appropriate to view on the internet provide teaching opportunities that would be lost by simply installing a software filter – a decision usually made by one or two individuals. A teacher engages his/her students on a personal level. An open learning environment provides valuable educational opportunities.
The article includes 5 suggestions on the positive opportunities available instead of relying on internet filtering software. They include talking openly with parents, students and teachers to determine what is acceptable for everyone. Most important is the suggestion that technological ethics be taught when using the internet in the classroom environment.
Home computers too can have filtering software, but they may not be as limiting as that found on public computers. Thus students are left with the possiblility of stumbling onto an inappropriate site anywhere where they might do internet searches. Parents too need to have open discussions about what is appropriate in their home, just as teachers limit what is acceptable in their classroom.
How would you handle the discussion about the ethics of questionable material on the internet with your students? Do you believe it is important for schools to install internet filtering software on school computers?
Madelaine
Here are some sites that talk about internet filtering software. The third one is most interesting as it deals with issues of such filtering software at a Canadian public library.
http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/aba/newspubs/documents/filtereffectiveness.pdf
http://www.lerc.educ.ubc.ca/LERC/outreach/examples/Filter.htm
http://www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/static/440/
4 comments:
testing
Hi Madelaine! I liked Mary’s idea to tell students that, if they wouldn’t look at something with a parent or teacher right beside them, then they shouldn’t be doing it at all – but most importantly educating them about the dangers of ‘going out of bounds’ on the internet. At first, I did like the idea of putting a filter on school computers, but if it will limit the students’ ability to do certain research, such as controversial issues, then I definitely agree with you that it might not be the best idea.
Kathy
Thanks Kathy!
Madelaine
Hi Madelaine!
I do think that some sort of filtering system should be on public systems to limit access to certain areas. It would be beneficial if we as educators had some access to the filtering system so that if we did want to have students explore a controversial topic we could allow them too.
I also like the idea that Kathy posted about what Mary said about what the students should be looking at and if they would do it with a teacher/parent right beside them. It will help the students to begin to think about what they are looking at and help them to become responsible about what they are looking at.
Amanda
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