Do you agree or disagree with our internet being filtered? Whats your thoughts?

Found this on a website.

We owe it to our children to improve the filter between their ears that will help them know whom to trust, how to click the "back button" to avoid inappropriate content and how to enjoy the wonders of the Internet, safely and privately. Internet safety education is key to this, and should be mandated, not filtering.
- Parry Aftab, Executive Director-WiredSafety.org, Submission to NTIA 15 July 2002

Is this saying that kids these days are stupid? If you raise your child to be smart and a little wise, and you actually monitor what they look at then it shouldnt be a problem. I dont see the need to filter ISPs. Its pretty much taking away people right to free speech.

From APC these are the top 5 reasons to fight internet filtering
the full article is here: http://apcmag.com/top_5_reasons_to_figh ... tering.htm

1. It will slow everything down. As Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) pointed out recently in launching its No Clean Feed campaign, filtering slows down connections by at least 30% based on the government's own evidence in the form of ACMA's report into the effectiveness of filtering. Given the billions that are supposed to be invested in our new national high-speed broadband network real soon now, this seems like a contradictory stance to say the least (though we're sure whoever builds it will welcome any excuse for less than banner performance).

2. Offensive is in the eye of the beholder. Leaving aside already illegal material such as child pornography and snuff films, it's quite difficult to define what should be banned, even in a family context. Family First types would presumably like to see any adult material banned (even the R-rated stuff); religious devotees might object to Life Of Brian fan sites; South Australia's Attorney General apparently believes that gaming is the root of all evil; and people with brains might wonder why anyone needs access to information about Paris Hilton. Trying to maintain a workable list will be an expensive and ultimately futile exercise.

3. It presumes families care about this stuff. "The Australian Government is committed to ensuring all Australian families can utilise ISP filters that block prohibited content as identified by the Australian Communications and Media Authority," communications minister Senator Stephen Conroy said in June this year. "Families should also be able to access filters that can be customised to block more material if they choose."

The available evidence suggests that most families don't give a flying proverbial. Conroy himself shut down the previous government's National Filter Scheme after it emerged that even amongst households who bothered to acquire the free software, just 20% bothered to update it regularly. Clearly, parents have better things to do with their time than fuss around with filters.

4. It makes Australia look stupid on a global scale. It's easy to read news reports about Indonesia's plans to attempt a comprehensive pornography ban and laugh, but the Australian proposal isn't so different in scope. As EFA chair Colin Jacobs recently told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I'm not exaggerating when I say that this model involves more technical interference in the internet infrastructure than what is attempted in Iran, one of the most repressive and regressive censorship regimes in the world."

5. The people supporting it don't like mounting rational arguments. Communications Day recently quoted Jim Wallace, managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, on why mandatory filtering was desirable. "The need to prevent access to illegal hard-core material and child pornography must be placed above the industry's desire for unfettered access," Wallace said. This kind of lazy rhetoric, implying that anyone who opposes wide-scale censorship is automatically in favour of child pornography, is intellectually vapid and entirely unhelpful.

Yeah the filters a good idea to keep all the sick things on the internet out but hey theres always going to be away around something and im sure the young ones will find it out.
Honestly I think parents should just keep an eye on their children.

Cheers Shane

I think its a load of crap ... having choice is the only realy freedom you get if I want to look at something that someone else wants to share then I should be able to.

I understand the reasoning behind the proposed Australian Internet Filter BUT feel that it will impact on the wrong people. I think everyone agrees the main reason for it is to stop child porn. That's a great idea and I don't have a problem with that at all.

Music and movie sharing has been going on for years before the internet (remember borrowing a record from a friend or recording from the radio directly to cassette?) The only difference now is the ability to track who is sharing what and with whom.

I don't have a problem with porn on the net either, as long as it's not thrust in everyones face so to speak.

It's up to parents to monitor what kids/teens do and see online. Start taking responability for that yourself instead of us all hearing about 14 yo Emily that was sexually abused after meeting with some sicko she met online (probably on a laptop in her bedroom away from her parents prying eyes).

A few ISPs are trailing it, because its going to affect speeds if they have to filter every website request for ever user every minute of the day week year month second etc etc.

It only takes a few commands for our privacy and political freedom to start going the way of the dinosaur (Perhaps like the US/UK?)