I have to create a course about on line dangers of the Internet. It seems reasonable as cultural author of one of the first Internet filters (alleged child protection device)and a background in early childhood education as well as been a parent of two boys for about 30 years my experience is diverse and probably somewhat experienced with the issues. However the issues are very complex and there are usually two sides to every issue. Also the issues are human and the answers lie in the human relationships. If we are talking parent child...well that is the dynamic that contains the answer. The Internet is the current state of information tech – the issue is how are we handling it.

The filter companies have an amazing habit of creating a “scary scenario”and offering a simplistic tech solution which will make your safe. This is of course would be laughable if it wasn't such a popular idea – make everyone scared and sell them a scenario that promises security. This certainly brings our the skeptic in me.

So I googled who is linking to my oldest web site on this subject

http://www.turnercom.com

and I have found a list on a University that teaches librarian ship and found a list of websites that alleged to be about child protection. I could be more direct but I truly enjoy random processes. I'll follow the links starting here and see and comment on what people are doing. I expect to find a rats ass nightmare of agendas all under the name of “child protection” They will bring out a response in me .But who knows I could be wrong.

Random starting point

Jacques du Plessis

The International Initiate for the Protection of Children of Cyberspace

http://www.sois.uwm.edu/jacques/ici/index.html

Jaques seems to have put together a sane rational approach. Seems to genuinely want to protect children. Basic premises appear to be that “loving instructions” provided by parents are the key asset to protect children from pornography, vulgarity hate etc.

This sounds good but the problem with that is I personally know some loving parents that have “destroyed” their children by fostering dependence, and failing to provide boundaries.

In short they may have been “loving” but they were ineffective and disastrous. Huge changes would have to take place in the world of parenting before that will work. Far too many kids born behind 8 balls bigger than their house.

There are other problems, for example vulgarity and hate is mostly a matter of opinion and what side of the hate coin you are on. Present political times have never made that clearer. Pornography can be filtered but that sort of reminds me of when I was an adolescent I had a Playboy magazine under my mattress. My mother found it and took that away (filtered it). I guess that was the end of that. (NOT)

Jaques goes on to solutions and recommends meta tagging (forced or volunteered) that will take out “offensive “ material. The problem with this solution is it reminds me of gun licensing. Only ;the good guys get licenses. The bad guys don't . Why “ Well because they are bad guys.

This might be an old initiative because there is no mention of viruses , file sharing, lawsuits from the recording industry and stalking probably more serious problems .

Got any ideas on this e-mail me I'll keep going I've got a very long list of links.

turner@internetfilter.com