AJ’s Hut

Since porn has become a very dominant issue when discussing the Internet it is very obvious that children are going to be included in this discussion as well. The real topic though is how to keep them away from this part of the Internet that is meant for adults only. I will tell you how and it is a very simple concept, POLICE YOUR OWN CHILDREN!

In 1998 COPA was passed but was abruptly injunction, correctly handled in my opinion. They finally made a stand on the "community standards" idea being applied to the Internet. One cannot define these such standards on such a large area including not just the U.S. but the entire world. Then in 2001 CIPA was brought about and it finally stuck but not until 2003 when it was given the OK. This act brought about the demand for filters in public libraries and schools or else funding would be dropped from those that do not comply. As we all know filtering is not that accurate and just simply does not work. The Supreme Court passed this act though as it seemed just and I agree with it being the first step taken to start the process of the keeping children out of the adult section.

Honestly though, is our society this hooked on not being responsible for our own children? The fight we hear all the time is that "I am not computer savvy enough to stay ahead of my children!". Instead of saying this all the time sit on the computer and figure it out for yourself or with the self-guides that come with computers. My dad has taken the time to follow these lessons and is now very capable of doing anything on the Internet. When I was younger and he had no idea how to police me on the Internet he simply put a time limit I could be on the computer so he could supervise me here and there and keep a check on me. He even asked all his friends and eventually found one to put up some child protecting software in a effort to keep me safe. Parents need to step up to the plate here and learn how to keep their children safe, not sit back and whine about it and let it happen.