Internet Filtering

Filters and Folly

With today's "digital age" most people spend their lives online, for personal, academic and professional reasons. Children are exposed to the internet at an all younger age and what they come across could be anybody's guess! Considering the freedom of the internet, it is sad to say that it is little surprise that as much as the internet has been a huge benefit to the world of information, there are many people who misuse this platform for ill-gain and to spread folly! And who are the ones that are most at risk? The children! Therefore, it becomes important to monitor what content is being viewed so that a certain level of control can be exercised, to ensure that the internet is being used to it's full potential in a way that is beneficial and wholesome to everyone. One way of achieving this is by applying internet filters.

 

What is internet filtering?

Have you ever tried accessing a website only to get an error message instead? Internet filtering refers to the means blocking the access of certain websites and information deemed harmful or sensitive. Filters work by interrupting the internet connection when trying to access this banned content on the world wide web. Content is filtered for various reasons, some of which include political, religious, or moral dilemmas. Since filters can be applied to certain websites, topics, or keywords, the problem with internet filtering becomes finding a balance... In many cases there is either an over-blockage, in which case the information being sought have super sensitive filters, or an under-blockage, in which case the filters are not stringent enough and finding loopholes are more obvious. When considering the application of internet filtering, it is important to follow guidelines that will help make the internet an informative yet safe space for all.

 

 

Internet filters

filters are the software that is installed that is designed to censor offensive, harmful or sensitive information by denying access to websites or information that has been banned. Leading filters include CleanFeed, NetNanny, SafeSearch, and CyberSitter. Some home security software (antivirus software) also include filters as part of the package.

Internet filtering and libraries

Internet filtering can be tricky for libraries, whereby librarians have a duty to avail information to the users without passing judgement on what the information is that the user seeks. Many public libraries restrict access to information deemed inappropriate in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act. This can be done by using a formula of trigger words, images, links, and certain file types, and URL's where a blacklist is created. However, filters are only up to 80% accurate for text and 50% for images, thus there are many loopholes and workarounds. It is argued that by filtering the internet, "libraries risk jeopardising the community they service from competing in a modern information economy based on the fact that the internet is generally designed to be unfiltered, unfettered, and ever-changing" (LibrarianInBlack)

 

 

...Next, we'll be looking at internet censorship. Watch this space!