Such software could also violate a youth's right to a wide variety of information (Reilly 2001). Finally, many critics question the effectiveness of such filtering technologies.

Some charge that filtering technologies have a tendency to "overblock" sites. In high schools, for example, some children complain increased difficulty in conducting research on topics like breast cancer and safe sex. Another reported difficulty conducting a search on the term "Mars exploration," because the letters formed the forbidden term "sex." These difficulties interfere with the intent of sharing information over the Internet (Reilly 2001).

Overriding concerns

Critics do have valid concerns, and were able to articulate these all the way to the Supreme Court. The Court, however, rightly ruled that filtering technology remains an effective solution to keeping children away from violent, pornographic or otherwise dangerous content. The issue of "overblocking" can easily be remedied by a librarian or administrator. Future problems can also be prevented as libraries and schools further categorize material into designated safe categories, such as educational or medical research (Rehnquist 2005).

These filtering software, especially when conducted by libraries, do not constitute censorship. After all, libraries already perform a "gatekeeping"...

It would certainly be inappropriate for public libraries to spend taxpayer dollars on pornographic videos. Schools and libraries would be similarly remiss in their duties if they did not manage the online content that comes into their computers.
In conclusion, critics of filtering software and protection-oriented legislation have valid concerns regarding privacy and censorship. However, the dangers that inappropriate material and online predators pose to children are very real. While the task of keeping children safe is the primary task of parents, the rest of society should also share some of the responsibility. Schools and libraries have the mandate of helping to education young people, while keeping them in a safe and nurturing environment. Filtering software does not discount the former goal, and certainly promotes the latter. For these reasons, measures that help protect children online must therefore be supported.

Works Cited

Reilly, Rob. 2001. "Government Efforts to Protect Children from Online Pornography Are Ineffective."

James Torr, ed. Current Controversies Series. San Diego: Greenhaven Press

Teens, Technology, and Drugs: An Inside Look; How Technology Is Hooking Teens Up With Drugs." 2006. PR Newswire. July 18.