[LINK] Survey Finds Support for School Filters (USA)

[stephen loosley]

Hi Mark and all ..

At 07:04 PM 24/10/2000, Mark Hughes wrote:

> the students don't seem to be having any problem finding them when
> they want to. ) there's far more than anyone can ever really look at ..
> If 1,000 porn sites are not blocked, that's more than enough for anyone
> because the content is essentially all the same ...

Haha .. your mum certainly knew a thing or two, and she's right: see
one porn site & you've seen 'em all (except for the sicko ones that is)

However, a major point for we schools is that we don't want to assist our
students access such things just by guessing. If they really want to see
porn, they probably will on a school computer no matter what we do and
no matter what the consequences for themselves. But, filtering avoids the
obvious URL guesses working for them. Breaking utilization agreements
therefore probably requires a deliberate act for which they can take their
chances. See the difference.. all care but ultimately a kid's responsibility.

And, once again, my colleagues and I find it works, no matter what some
may like to believe .. sure, not perfectly, but at my school we haven't had
any problems at all since we went to both local and ISP filtering services,
and the many Vic teacher mailing lists tell a similiar story. I certainly wish
I had more time to debate this, Mark, if you wish, and I would certainly like
to reply to Karl's points .. however, right now duty (and 75 essays) call :-(

Cheers, Mark
Stephen Loosley
http://stephen.hm