Censorship of the Internet

[GostHacked]

We have known China censors much of the Internet. Through proxies and firewalls, and content filters, China can controll almost all of the information going in and out of the country. Most of us in democratic free countries see this as a bad thing. China blanket censors much. All communication is monitored and controlled by the State. It also allows China to promote the view of the world that China's leaders want to portray. It also allows them to control information going out so they can portray another face to the rest of the world.

None of us want to see censorship on the Internet in the way that it will limit the content you can access online. When censorship happens, it is someone else who gets to decide what material you can view online. Australia is the first democratic country to introduce a national firewall. It will prevent users from accessing some pornographic material which everywhere else in the western like countries is acceptable. X rated material is illegal there, and this does I guess fall into the line of 'contraban'. So I don't know, kind of split on it I guess.

It is a nickle and dime thing happening to the Internet as a whole. First one thing is blocked, then another, then more. And it really is not that hard to control all this information. It is also very easy to monitor all this information. I agree that there is some content online that just should not exist anywhere, like exploiting children through pornography, sites that depict gruesome mutilations or death. It is also easy to get around the firewalls and other security measures if you are good enough. If a site gets blocked, it can move, and be up again in a day or two.

I have had the pleasure and fear of watching this Internet grow for the past 15 years. I knew it was going to revolutionize our world. So, if you would like some censorship, what can we ban/eliminate to improve our experience as a whole with the Internet and make it a better place for all. What can we filter out? What do we censor?

Here is my list.

SPAM EMAILS !!! ... This alone will improve the Internet about a thousand times.

Child porn, exploitation is just wrong anywhere to anyone.

Now if you wanna talk sites in particular, myspace and facebook come to mind lol

[Mr.Canada]

Censorship of any kind is wrong.

[Oleg Bach]

You just attempted to censor me! Behind closed doors I might add - If you have an issue with me state it publically...or be still.

[Mr.Canada]

You just attempted to censor me! Behind closed doors I might add - If you have an issue with me state it publically...or be still.

I'd like for you to stay on topic if possible. If you follow the rules we have no problem.

Censorship is bad.

[capricorn]

I'd like for you to stay on topic if possible. If you follow the rules we have no problem.

Who is this "we" you speak of?

[Mr.Canada]

Who is this "we" you speak of?

That is obvious. If you do not know you do not need to know.

[capricorn]

So, if you would like some censorship, what can we ban/eliminate to improve our experience as a whole with the Internet and make it a better place for all. What can we filter out? What do we censor?

In Canada, I say leave it alone. Those who don't want to view and are repulsed by explicit sex, sexual exploitation and gruesome images will stay away from those sites.

Child porn, exploitation is just wrong anywhere to anyone.

Yes, and it is despicable and the most nefarious side of the internet. For years, efforts have been underway to assist citizens and parents combat this industry. Parents are the first line of defence to protect their children from predators. They have a duty and responsibility to keep their children safe and to protect their innocence. I would go so far to say that parents who allow unfettered access to the internet to children are unfit.

Cybertips http://www.cybertip.ca Canada's national tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. It is a centralized web portal for receiving and addressing reports from the public regarding child pornography, luring, child sex tourism, and children who are exploited through prostitution. Cybertip.ca also provides the public with information, referrals and other resources to help Canadians keep their children safe while on the Internet.

http://www.getwebwise.ca/parent_sites_we_like.cfm

And of course, law enforcement is a necessary component to combat the sexual exploitation of children (SEOC). It's paying off as we've seen in the number of cases of SEOC come to justice.

Canada’s commitment to investigate and prosecute SEOC is within the context of its support to the G8 Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet. Additional financial support to increase law enforcement’s capacity to investigate those criminal offences has been given to the RCMP-led National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC). The NCECC is a point of contact for complaints, particularly those relating to child pornography over the Internet, and their dissemination to relevant law enforcement agencies for investigation. The NCECC collaborates with various government departments, international law enforcement agencies and other organizations dedicated to protecting children.

Canada has implemented a number of legislative measures to combat SEOC, including those relating to child sex tourism, child prostitution, possession of child pornography and Internet luring of children.

In many provinces, law enforcement has recognized the need to combat SEOC from an integrated perspective. Integrated Child Exploitation Units have been established in several provinces and more are expected. Manitoba’s Integrated Child Exploitation Unit and the Cybertip.ca initiative, an on-line reporting mechanism for Internet-based child pornography and other forms of child sexual exploitation, serve as examples of effective multi-agency responses. These measures aim to alleviate the challenges facing law enforcement in its efforts to combat SEOC.

http://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annua...oit_2004_e.html

Censorship is not the answer. It is a slippery slope for the state to control free will and self-discipline. Once the foot is in the door there's no telling where it would stop.

[capricorn]

That is obvious. If you do not know you do not need to know.

If your "we" means you and Oleg, fine. But if by "we" you mean MLW posters, that is not fine. Remember that you are not a moderator here and as such are not mandated to speak for me. That's why I posed the question about the meaning of "we".

Mr. Canada you come across as very authoritarian and abrasive in many of your posts. Maybe it's just me.

[Topaz]

I don't think we will see that on the internet because too much money is made and if people get peeved off about it, I doubt it will happen. BUT speaking about the internet I do think our members of Parliament we refrain from looking at site not meant for business hours and did Mr. Moore who said he was looking at his girlfriend in ????? and not perhaps XXX site. I don't believe him and the next day he had a blackberry instead of the laptop.

[M.Dancer]

. I don't believe him and the next day he had a blackberry instead of the laptop.

I don't believe you either.

[GostHacked]

Capricorn, you bring up some interesting points. I agree with you on many of those points.

That parent zone for the Alberta page is impressive. I guess in hindsight that these informational pages should exist. It is a one stop shop for parents that want to be in the know when it comes to the Internet. Most kids are smarted than the parents when it comes to the Internet now. I guess I am a lucky one, I plan to always know more than my kids (when they come into the picture), and being in the IT industry for a few years, that has helped as well.

I can only imagine what the net will be like in another 5 to 10 years.

I think people are more aware of problems that arise online. Education and awareness will be an important key to keep kids and people safe online. I can't stomach the gruesome sites like Ogrish and the like. So I never go to those sites. But I guess they do server a purpose. They are not sugar coating death.I used to be one that advocates no censorship online. But I am starting to lean in the direction of limited censorship. I guess I am still on the fence with all this.

[capricorn]

Most kids are smarted than the parents when it comes to the Internet now.

How as it come to that? All I can think is that kids today seem to have gained more control over the parent than the parent has gained over the kids. Example, if I'm at an amusement park with my kid and I see a ride I think is unsafe does it matter that I have never been on the ride in order for me to insist my child not get on? In such situations I turn to my parental authority and instinct to protect my child. In my world, the same caution applies to the internet. My children are grown so now they are faced with this addressing these conflicts with my grandchildren.

I guess I am a lucky one, I plan to always know more than my kids (when they come into the picture), and being in the IT industry for a few years, that has helped as well.

Sounds like you will be well equipped to keep your children out of harm's way.

I think people are more aware of problems that arise online. Education and awareness will be an important key to keep kids and people safe online.

Your optimism shines through. Sadly there will always be parents who abdicate their responsibilities for one reason or another. But you know, I have known cases where the children were smarter than their parents and they turned out fine. I bet you know a case or two.

But I am starting to lean in the direction of limited censorship. I guess I am still on the fence with all this.

I'm unsure what limited censorship you would be willing to accept. Among my concerns is that any government efforts at censorship would necessarily be accompanied by a bureaucracy to administer its components. My fear is that such a bureaucracy could go the way of the Human Rights Commissions, i.e. their original purpose has been all but forgotten and they have given themselves powers above their mandate. That should frighten us all.

[Mr.Canada]

Mr. Canada you come across as very authoritarian and abrasive in many of your posts. Maybe it's just me.

Yes, you're right. I do come across as abrasive at times. I'm passionate about many things and need to formulate my thoughts a little better so i can convey my message without sounding like a jackass all the time. Which I do often, lol.

I'm not a bad guy I just get a little too excited at times and must show some restraint sometimes.

Edited October 27, 2008 by Mr.Canada

[guyser]

How as it come to that?

This is the forst generation to have a computer since birth. None of us, those over 30 for example, did not have mom and dad bouncing us on their laps while surfing the net.

But kids today did. As suchj, the workings of a computer are normal for them. They know every trick to cover their asses . Put in a programme to watch what your kid types, and likely that kid or one of his/her buddies knows a way around it.

When your programme is stuck, or something doesnt work right, the first words out of many mouths is to ask for "son/daughter, come and help me out ! "

All I can think is that kids today seem to have gained more control over the parent than the parent has gained over the kids. Example, if I'm at an amusement park with my kid and I see a ride I think is unsafe does it matter that I have never been on the ride in order for me to insist my child not get on? In such situations I turn to my parental authority and instinct to protect my child. In my world, the same caution applies to the internet. My children are grown so now they are faced with this addressing these conflicts with my grandchildren.

That is not an equal analogy. The ride at the amusement park shows it inherent risks. A computer does no such thing. It doesnt move, twirl, bounce etc.

Not to mention of course the need for kids to be online now what with the schools advocating they be allowed access.

True: Parent friend of mine, her daughter caught online bullying, police involved. Internet access denied for 6 months as punishment.

Her Principal and teacher phoned her to ask she relax the rules since so much of the work she needs to do is internet based.

The daughter is 11.

[capricorn]

That is not an equal analogy. The ride at the amusement park shows it inherent risks. A computer does no such thing. It doesnt move, twirl, bounce etc.

What I was getting at is the power struggle that goes on between a parent and a child, and the need for a parent to maintain control over the child's actions. A parent needs to recognize that the internet, if continually used unsupervised, can be a dangerous place for a kid. It boils down to a parent's responsibility of saying "no" when a child engages in risky behaviour, such as visiting questionable internet sites or getting on rides that could result in physical injury.

Not to mention of course the need for kids to be online now what with the schools advocating they be allowed access.

True: Parent friend of mine, her daughter caught online bullying, police involved. Internet access denied for 6 months as punishment.

Her Principal and teacher phoned her to ask she relax the rules since so much of the work she needs to do is internet based.

The daughter is 11.

This introduces another stressor for parents raising kids.

[guyser]

What I was getting at is the power struggle that goes on between a parent and a child, ... It boils down to a parent's responsibility of saying "no" when a child engages in risky behaviour, such as visiting questionable internet sites or getting on rides that could result in physical injury.

I understood your point and I agree. it was the analogy that didnt work.

[Moonlight Graham]

Australia is pretty harsh censorship-wise compared to most every other "westerny" democratic country.

Censorship sucks, but when it comes to child-porn & horrible crap like that i have no problem throwing up a ban.