Re: [OS:N:] Re:School Filtering

[Jon Adam <jonadam gcnet com>]

We deal with this topic quite a bit as well, when we give a child a 
computer.  Parents are always wanting their internet filtered, but not 
realizing what that will limit.  Take anatomy for example.  There is 
pretty much no way to research an anatomy project on the internet with 
those filters in place.  

In my humble opinion, school is not the place for a kid to be looking at 
stuff they don't need to.  Filtering is the only was to keep them focused 
on their school when the internet is available.  Granted there are ways 
around it, but why not filter online content at a school.  We aren't 
paying for a child's education so they can go porn surf.  IMO they can do 
that at home, but it doesn't need to be done in school.  Filtering is the 
only way to try to keep it from happening.

Jon

> As always, kids will learn about sex no matter what we do.  Fine.
> I'll have frank, direct talks to mine about the subject.  What they
> do about it will be up to them, just like all other kids have done.
> 
> In the meantime I think the fact that schools are filtering, (even though
> bright kids can get around it easily), sends a message to the kids that
> some things are not appropriate for certain age groups and that school 
> time and school tools are for learning about school things.
> 
> This is a good message.  Kids have free will as soon as they are born.
> Good parenting means doing all we can to help them make smart choices.
> 
> Filtering is one way we can demonstrate what we think is good and
> bad to them.  They will spend most of their life with no limits so
> they need to be prepared to create their own boundaries before they
> reach that point.
> 
> I'm much more worried about my kids getting involved with un-realistic
> extremists than I am sleazy characters.
> 
> Kids learn quick and sleazo's are usually readily apparent while 
> extremists can be disguised as anything.
> 
> 

-- 
Jon Adam
Executive Director/Founder
Giving Back Technology Foundation
www.givingbacktech.org
Helping Children Get the Technology Needed to Succeed