Internet Regulation, Computer, Internet, Privacy

INTERNET REGULATION: POLICING CYBERSPACE

The Internet is a method of communication and a source

of information that is becoming more popular among those who

are interested in, and have the time to surf the information

superhighway. The problem with this much information being

accessible to this many people is that some of it is deemed

inappropriate for minors. The government wants censorship,

but a segment of the population does not. Legislative

regulation of the Internet would be an appropriate function

of the government.

The Communications Decency Act is an amendment which

prevents the information superhighway from becoming a

computer 'red light district.' On June 14, 1995, by a vote

of 84-16, the United States Senate passed the amendment. It

is now being brought through the House of Representatives.1

The Internet is owned and operated by the government,

which gives them the obligation to restrict the materials

available through it. Though it appears to have sprung up

overnight, the inspiration of free-spirited hackers, it in

fact was born in Defense Department Cold War projects of the

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1950s.2 The United States Government owns the Internet and

has the responsibility to determine who uses it and how it

is used.

The government must control what information is

accessible from its agencies.

This material is not lawfully available through

the mail or over the telephone, there is no valid

reason these perverts should be allowed unimpeded

on the Internet. Since our initiative, the

industry has commendably advanced some blocking

devices, but they are not a substitute for

well-reasoned law.4

Because the Internet has become one of the biggest sources

of information in this world, legislative safeguards are

imperative.

The government gives citizens the privilege of using

the Internet, but it has never given them the right to use

it.

They seem to rationalize that...