CIPA

The last legal act I wanted to touch on is the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). I think it’s really a combination of the previous things I’ve talked about. It is a violation of the First Amendment and it really coincides with the Patriot Act.

This act is essentially supposed to block access “to offensive content over the internet on school and library computers”. This offensive content that must be blocked is pictures that are obscene, are child pornography or are harmful to minors. In order to have these institutions comply, they (the government) withhold funding ("Children's Internet Protection Act"). Now, I agree, child pornography should be blocked. But I have a problem with the words “obscene” and “harmful.” Who classifies what is obscene and harmful? Again, this is something that should be left to PARENTS to decide, not the government.

Schools have issues with the blocking technology. There have been cases where students cannot access information for homework assignments. In an era that relies so heavily on internet access, this is clearly holding some students back (Dobija, 2007, p. 51). Again, I agree there are certain sites that are inappropriate for children, but these filters are extreme. And to withhold funding from those schools or public libraries that don’t comply? I just think there are other measures that could be taken. There are even reports that websites that display “particular political or ideological options” have been blocked (Dobija, 2007, p. 52). How are children supposed to grow up to be well-informed and educated adults that actually contribute to society if they aren’t allowed to explore all of the options available?

I think that pornography should indeed be blocked for children, but there has to be a better way to do so without blocking other sites that are unfortunate enough to have a keyword that stands out. I also feel that however “offensive” pornography is to some people, there are worse things for children to see. I’m not saying I would want my 10 year old to have access to such sites, but human bodies are natural, violence, not so much. Am I being irrational in wanting some not all? Is it all or nothing? What do you think?

Federal Communications Commission. Children's Internet Protection Act. Retrieved April 11, 2008, from http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html.

Dobija, J. (2007, September 1). The First Amendment needs new clothes. American Libraries, 38(8), 50-53.