Australian Plan To Filter Internet

[GhostShip]

On the face of it this looks like a fairly good idea.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/veto-for-parents-on-web-content/2007/08/09/1186530535350.html

Internet service providers will be forced to filter web content at the request of parents, under a $189 million Federal Government crackdown on online bad language, pornography and child sex predators.

Mr Howard will also confirm a previous announcement that the Government will pay $90 million to provide every household that wants it with software to filter internet content.
Those unable to install the software or who have concerns about their children's internet use will be able to get advice by phone, another proposal previously suggested by the Government.

Today Mr Howard will hail the ISP filtering measure as a world first by any Government, and is expected to offer funding to help cover the cost. Parents will be able to request the ISP filter option when they sign up with an ISP. It will be compulsory to provide it
The measures will come into effect by the end of this month.

I,m pleased to see a solution that relies on the parents to decide what is reasonable and decent for their children, this solution as described neatly sidesteps any arguments regarding censorship.
I do however question the costings involved in manufacturing and delivering a home filtering solution, as its fairly easy to set up a website to reach the entire population of Australia and deliver the filtering software and support videos or tutorials for at least 1/1000th of the costs mentioned, how hard is is to ask schools to ensure parents are contacted to offer a download or even an advertising campaign on the national television networks, Au$90 Million sounds rather excessive to me.

[]-[êll.Ôñ.ËÀR'][']-[.]

i totaly agree anything to protect children is a good idea in my book perhaps ghost you should e-mail mr howard with a cheaper alternative 

[GhostShip]

Its not llikely those lining their pockets with taxpayers money are going to listen you myself 

The real costs in this and these have not been mentioned are incurred by the ISP companies who will be told to install items like the ellecoya system that does more than just ensure little jonny is not swearing at folks, it seems many of these schemes to become the new China are being spread around at this time, its purely a matter of time before the power to silence folks who you dont agree with politically is implemented as we saw recently in the US from At&T

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/10/business/main3154838.shtml?source=RSSattr=Business_3154838

I,ll be watching for abuse, but besides this main concern I applaud the deployment of tools for parents to obtain the initiative in keeping their young ones protected from the wacky wild web.