Web Filtering - A Solution for Students

Running head: WEB FILTERING

Web Filtering - A Solution for Students

July 9, 2007

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Web Filtering - A Solution for Students

The internet is becoming an essential part of every day life. In order to adequately prepare our children for the challenges of tomorrow, internet access needs to be an integral part of education. As beneficial as the internet is, it also poses many problems and challenges for education institutions. High school districts need a viable solution that will filter web traffic. Filtering needs to be balanced so the internet remains available as a valuable educational resource. There are many different perspectives by which the subject can be viewed.

Parental concern for internet content that students have access to at school is well warranted. Parents are not thoroughly informed of what computer safeguards are in place to prohibit students from viewing inappropriate material.

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Technology is continually advancing and changing. For every safe guard that is in place, there are individuals behind websites that post ways to defeat internet filters. There are different ways students can be more vulnerable through internet mediums such as bulletin board systems, chat rooms, instant messages, newsgroups and e-mails. Each one of these mediums allow for virtual communication and viewing of potentially harmful content if safeguards are not adequate. Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2007).

Filters, acceptable use policies, and waivers signed by parent and student help ease parental concerns about student internet access. According to Sanchez (2007), parents feel most comfortable when students are closely supervised while on the internet along with active student education in internet responsibility. School law experts support filters however, the filters do not supersede a signed acceptable use policy. The school must disclose in the acceptable use policy that precautionary steps are being...