Another helpful news item from the EFF for us to watch out for
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/004860.phpRecently passed by the House, the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) requires public schools and libraries to block access to social networking sites and other communication tools as a condition for receiving certain government funding. Protecting children online is important, but letting federal bureaucrats arbitrarily censor legitimate speech is the wrong way to go.
Cutting off social networking's legitimate uses is bad enough, but DOPA also gives the FCC wide latitude to define the block-list. It potentially covers IM, blogs, wikis, discussion forums, and other sites far beyond MySpace. Despite its limited exceptions, DOPA will restrict children's and adults' online research, distance learning, and use of community forums, among other activities.
Two Congressionally-commissioned studies say education, not blocking access, is a more effective way to keep kids safe online. In fact, by hampering educators ability to teach Internet safety skills, DOPA may put children more at risk.
This isn't the first time Congress has meddled with school and library computers. EFF fought hard against the Children's Internet Protection Act, which required use of Web filtering. If DOPA passes, where might this slippery censorware slope lead next?
Hmm censorship of IM and certain sites etc in a public library, its starting to sound like the US is following China in censoring its people, after all who is the faceless guy who gets to decided what you can or cannot see or read, I dont think its really fair to blame IM for the wrongs of the world either, it is after all just a tool.
A few lessons regarding handing out personal information etc would be a more responsible approach, there is no "get out" clause when it comes to treaching children.
