Topic 1: Free Speech
The Blue Ribbon Campaign for Online Free Speech
"EFF, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization working in the public interest to protect fundamental civil
liberties, including privacy and freedom of expression, in the arena of
computers and the Internet. EFF was founded in 1990, and is based in San
Francisco, California, with offices in Washington, DC, and New York City."
This organization is lobbying to prevent the Supreme Court from passing the Communication Decency Act. This act was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1997. Senator John McCain is proposing another "sequel" to this bill. These bills would institute a ban of material deemed harmful to minors on the web. The new bill being proposed "Internet School Filtering Act" would force schools and libraries to use software filters on the Internet connections. These would be used by children and adults. The foundation questions whether these filters would perform as advertised. Their position is that it is the adult's responsibility to allow the children to view what they feel is not harmful.
**I have concerns about the multitude of inappropriate material on the Internet. As a parent and teacher I do not feel comfortable allowing my children or students to explore the Web without my guidance. There are certain "freedoms of expression" that I do not agree with nor want anyone I'm responsible for to view. The article made the bill seem way too broad. Maybe if the parameters were clearly defined under "harmful materials" users would understand what exactly was being censored.
Topic 2: Censorship
American Civil Liberties Union - About Blocking and Filtering
This article was against the passing of the Communications Decency Act - Reno v. ACLU. It sited research compiled by educators, public interest organizations and other groups that blocking software does not appropriately censor the Internet. Two software programs sited were CyberPatrol and CyberSitter. CyberPatrol allows the users to search it's list of blocked URL's. It does not explain why the site has been blocked. CyberSitter is another software program that has been looked at. The organization did not feel comfortable with it because it blocked Peacefire's web site. (youth alliance against Internet censorship)
**My feelings are the same concerning this article as Topic 1. The legislation language is vague and ambiguous. There is too much room for individual interpretation.
Topic 3: Fraud on the Web
Consumers League unveils Internet Fraud Watch Web page
"The 10 most frequent fraud reports involve: undelivered Internet and online services; damaged, defective, misrepresented or undelivered merchandise; auction sales; pyramids and multilevel marketing; misrepresented cyberspace business opportunities and franchises; work-at-home schemes; prizes and sweepstakes; credit card offers; books and other self-help guides; and magazine subscriptions." By John D. McClain Associated Press 9/10/97
This article contained information about recent fraud complaints. The National Consumers League reported that Internet fraud cases tripled in the last year. The damage done by these crooks ranged from $10-10,000. It listed the areas that Internet fraud occurs the most.
**I would explain to students that they are never to give information over the Internet. This would be one reason why. Another would be due to sexual predators. Fraud on the web is like fraud over the phone or salesmen that promise something and don't follow through.
Topic 4: Sexual Predators
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
This source came from a grant that my husband is exploring for the Springfield Police Department. As Commander in charge of the Investigative Bureau, he is going to apply for funding on this project. The purpose of this project is to assist local law enforcement agencies in enhancing their investigative response to computer-facilitated sexual exploitation of children. This done by offenders using the Internet, online communication systems, or other technology. Due to the nature special training is needed for investigations of Internet crimes against children. Gathering evidence is one of the hardest tasks. Predators go from chat room to chat room trolling for victims. Child pornography is increasing on the Internet. Legal issues regarding property and privacy rights are triggered with the seizure of computers and related technology.
**I am assisting Kent in completing this grant. It hits home to anyone who has children or works with children or loves children. These predators need to be stopped and our law enforcement agencies need monies to train and specialize detectives to catch and help prosecute these cases. This is an area that I would delicately explain to children. It could be included in a general safety presentation. (I would explain this to children when I work with them browsing the Internet also.)