Internet Filtering and Safety

1
Internet Filtering and Safety
Meghan Campbell Megan Obrock Melissa Znidarsic
2
Outline of Our Presentation

• Internet Filtering
• Childrens Internet Privacy Protection Act
• Positives of Filtering
• Negatives of Filtering
• The Future

3
Internet Filtering
What it is -Software programs or services that
can block certain types of content on internet
websites.
4
Why use filtering?

• Why schools have decided to use internet
  filtering
• to protect children from online harm/student
  safety
• uneasiness about personal liability
• frustration about the time spent on monitoring
  students Web searching

5
How it works

• There are four different ways of blocking
  information
• Keyword or phrase blocking
• site blocking
• blocking by protocol
• blocking by the time of day

6
Filtering Options

• 4 Types of Filtering Options for Schools
• 1. Employ minimal/zero filtering system and use
  comprehensive curriculum/educational materials
  dealing with digital conduct

7
Filtering Options Cont

• 2. Use filtering software and employ minimal
  educational materials dealing with student
  digital conduct
• 3. Use filtering software and employ no
  curriculum/educational materials dealing with
  student digital conduct

8
Options Cont

• 4. Use no filtering and no curriculum/educational
  materials dealing with student digital conduct

9
The Childrens Internet Privacy Protection Act

• Passed Congress in December of 2000
• Addresses what has to be filtered
• Also states the need for an Internet Policy
• Schools had to display their protection policy
  before October 28, 2001

10
The Rules

• What is a technology protection measure? (TPM)
• A specific technology that blocks or filters
  Internet access to visual depictions
• Schools must have some type of filter or blocking
  technology on all computers
• Schools must have an Internet Safety meeting and
  also hold a public meeting to review the policy

11
Creating the Internet Safety Policy

• What has to be filtered??
• Obscene Content
• Child Pornography
• Anything Harmful to Minors any picture, image,
  graphic or other visual image that is
  inappropriate

12
Positives to Internet Filtering

• It helps prevent students from visiting
  inappropriate sites.
• It helps teachers monitor more students at one
  time.
• Cuts down on search time

13
Positives to Internet Filtering Cont.

• If schools show proof of CIPA they can receive
  E-Rate discounts.
• Parents know students searching is being
  monitored.
• It helps schools with liability charges.

14
Negatives to Internet Filtering

• filters are not 100 effective
• nearly all filtering software makes it impossible
  to know what is being blocked
• it is technologically impossible to prescreen
  each site to determine its acceptability

15
More Negatives

• filters can block useful sites
• it is technologically impossible for filters to
  adapt to various ages, maturity levels, and
  backgrounds
• schools can covertly push their agendas while
  appearing to protect students

16
The Future of Internet Safety in Schools

• Existing technology can assist research efforts
  to monitor and track information discloser.
• Questions
• Cost of regulation, accountability, and
  disclosure
• Should the public be concerned?
• Who will pay?
• Should the education community be concerned?

17
Conclusion

• We talked about
• What internet filtering is.
• The CIPA (Childrens Internet Privacy Protection
  Act)
• The positives of filtering.
• The negatives of filtering.
• What the future holds of internet filtering.

18
Thank You for ListeningAny Questions?
19
Works Cited

• Bruce, David. Filtering the Internet for Young
  People Products and Problems. Teacher
  Librarian 26 (1999) 13-17.
• Burriss, Larry L. Saftey in the Cybervillage
  Some Guidelines for Teachers and Parents.
  Childhood Education, v.79 issue 5, p.318-319
• Curry, Ann, and Ken Haycock. Filtered or
  Unfiltered? School Library Journal 47
• (2001) 42-7.
• Pownell, David, and Gerald Bailey. Electronic
  Fences or Free-Range Students? Should Schools
  use Internet Filtering Software? Learning and
  Leading with Technology 27 (1999) 50-7.
• All pictures are borrowed from PowerPoint Clip
  Art.