Filters Are Needed to Protect Children From the Internet

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"You can no more leave your children to explore the internet than you can leave them alone in Times Square in New York," states Lee Munsil, the executive director of the National Family Legal Foundation ("Internet Regulation"). This analogy between the Internet and Times Square is indeed quite accurate. The Internet has a plethora of information and resources, however for children especially it can be quite dangerous if not monitored properly. Most parents would opt not to leave their children alone in New York City so how could they leave them alone on the Internet? The government should take a more active role in controlling and regulating illicit material on the Internet in public libraries by mandating the use of filtering software, the so-called "Internet Nannies." Being relatively new, the Internet standards of regulation have not been completely set. Many forms of legislation have been made in regards to regulation, and many are still being developed and decided in courts right now. In particular, the First Amendment protection as it relates to Internet content has not yet been determined ("Internet Filtering Software"). Most of the legislative attempts to control the content on the Internet so far have not been too successful. They have been declared unconstitutional upon judicial review. Because it changes so often, the author of "Internet Filtering Software," suggests that will be difficult for the government to control the content placed on the Internet anytime soon. There is, however, great potential for filtering devices to be implemented in various institutions involving children. ... ... middle of paper ... ...p its process in setting the standards before more children see the horrific content on the Internet. Works Cited Burt, David. "Libraries Should Regulate Internet Access." Mass Media. San Diego: Greenhaven, 1999. 142-146. "Congress Begins Taking Action to Stop Child Pornography." The American Center for Law and Justice E-Newsletter. 22 May 2014 . http://www.aclj.or/news/pornography/020522_congress_begins_taking.asp "Internet Filtering Software." Issues & Controversies. 26 April 2014 Online. www. Facts.com 21 May 2014 . "Internet Regulation." Issues & Controversies 14 Sept. 1914 : Online. www.facts.com 21 May 2014 . Tevis, Cheryl. "Internet Security: Here's What You Need to Know About Products That Block or Monitor Internet Sites." Successful Parenting. Jan 2014 : 25. Online. Infotrac. 21 May 2014 .

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