There has been a lot of talk recently about the ISP-level Internet filter that the Australian Government is proposing. This filter will come in two parts; the optional 'not suitable for children' filter and a compulsory, 'can't opt out' illegal sites filter.
A lot of the online and offline media have been vocal about this proposal, especially the compulsory aspect of the filter and that initial laboratory tests have shown a decrease in speeds when the filter is applied. While the proposal is still on the table, it does seem less and less likely that it will pass in its current form, however it does present a worrying precedent for the exclusion of not only patently illegal sites, but those marginal subjects which are in the sights of many lobby groups. And the number of 'false positives' occuring during initial testing is not insignificant.
I have some fairly strong feelings about Internet censorship, security and neutrality, however these are not the things that are worrying me the most about this filter. Already people are posting about how easy it will be to bypass the filter. While it does seem likely to reduce the overall speeds and possibly increase the costs of broadband access, as a society these are small concerns.
What is worrying me the most about this filter is complacency. The idea behind the filter is to protect children from online predators and sites they just shouldn't see. Great. Same reason for blocking out the mature channels on cable television and not leaving unsuitable magazines in your living room. But just because you block out the adult channel in your Foxtel, doesn't mean that your children will never see sex on television.
The introduction of this filter by the Government is sending the message to parents 'never mind; don't worry about what your kids are viewing online, the government has got you covered'. This couldn't be further from the truth. No matter how clever a filter is, it won't stop everything. Adult content, violence and just plain danger will still lurk online just as they do offline and predators will still be lurking in places such as Myspace and Facebook. And a country-wide Internet filter won't stop them contacting Johnny or Janey via IM or email. It will just make a lot of parents complacent about their children's online safety by making them believe that the government has stopped all of that.
While I don't think a national filter is the way to do this, if it is to be done it must be backed up with a serious education campaign with the message that although we have a wizz-bang filter, there is no substitute for talking to your kids, educating them about all the dangers of the world (not just the online ones) and keeping an eye on what they are doing. Educating and preparing your children for the real world is, after all, what parenting is all about.
So bring on your filter if you must, but also bring on your education campaign for parents and children so we can ensure that the time, money and inconvenience of the filter actually does protect our children.
