Federal Government Policy: Mandatory Internet Filtering as

Federal Government Policy: Mandatory Internet Filtering As a key component of the cyber-safety plan of the Australian Government, ISP filtering seeks to address a number of issues revolving around online concerns encountered by individuals as well as households in relation to restricted content material.

The Current Federal Government Policy on Internet Filtering: Arguments For and Against The Australian Communications and Media Authority is charged with the responsibility of facilitating the regulation of internet material considered to contain drug use as well as crime instructions in a detailed format, instances of sexual violence, bestiality, child pornography and any other internet content considered to be illegal, harmful and against the interests of the general public.

It is important to note that though the federal government maintains that mandatory internet filtering is in line with enhancing cyber safety; those with dissenting views have over time branded the policy controversial and flawed (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2010). To begin with, I will first consider the arguments supportive of the current federal government policy on mandatory internet filtering. First, it can be noted that the internet today encompasses our very lifestyle.

Apart from being a preferred business as well as entertainment tool, the internet has also become a playground for criminals and other individuals with ulterior motives (Jaishankar, 2011). With that in mind and given that a significant number of those who have not yet attained the age of the majority surf the internet on a regular basis, the relevance of controlling content through the utilization of internet filters cannot be overstated.

Towards that end, a mandatory internet filter goes a long way to ensure that children do not get exposed to content that is potentially harmful i.e. In regard to drugs, violence and sex. Based on the fact that these three issues are a threat to social order and well being; the federal government has a clear mandate to ensure that the well being of the society is preserved by amongst other things coming up with a policy on mandatory filtering of the internet.

However, it is equally important to note that though the federal government policy on mandatory internet filtering has a number of advantages; some dissenting views have been presented by those who are against the policy. To begin with, the filters are not fool proof. In the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Broadband Department of Australia Web site, there is an admission that it is possible for a user to circumvent filters (DBCDE, 2011).

Hence in that regard, filters might be seen as a waste of tax payer's money as their efficiency in accomplishing that which they are designed to accomplish is not guaranteed. Further, there are those who feel that policies on internet filtering are veiled moves towards muzzling free flow of information and freedom of expression (Simpson, 2011).

The Policy and its Relation to Moral Panics According to Cohen (1980), the occurrence of moral panic is informed by the emergence of an episode or condition that ends up becoming a threat to social order, interests as well as values.

With that in mind, it is important to note that today; it is relatively easy to access pornographic material on the internet and hence the move by the federal government to enhance internet filtering is a deliberate attempt to avert instances of moral panics in future especially in regard to children. Conclusion In conclusion, it is important to note that though the debate on the benefits or the lack of.