Internet+Filters

INTERNET FILTERS By: Emily Wireman

**Description:**

Internet filters are software tools that can help monitor web content viewed on a particular computer or network. Internet filters are also known as content controllers. Parents and/or educators can use Internet filters to help monitor or limit a child's access to the Internet or particular websites. Businesses can use Internet filters to block particular content from their employees. Individuals can use Internet filters in order to warn them about potentially harmful websites.

**What is the impact of this issue on K-12 schools, educators, and students?**

The use of the Internet filters is an important issue in schools because the Internet can be a great resource to students but educators and parents want to be able to protect children from the harmful aspects of the Internet. The use of Internet filters in schools is a constant debate among educators, administrators, students, and parents. The advantages of the use of Internet filters in the school setting are the ability to restrict a student’s access to sexually explicit and/or violent content. The filters can also restrict a student’s access to social networking sites on which child predators may be know to looking for young children. Those opposed to Internet filters believe that they can actually block content that they are not supposed to thereby limiting a students access to knowledge. Others believe that the use of Internet filters is actually a censorship of a certain sort. Some parents believe that Internet filters do not address the root problem of children looking at harmful content and are simply a band-aid solution. These parents would prefer to address the fact that their child wants to gain access to this type of content in the first place. In addition to this idea, there are ways to bypass some Internet filters and with students that are increasingly more tech savvy, this can be a real issue.

**Integrating this topic into Daily Instruction:**

**GRADES K-5**

This grade range may seem a bit early on in a child's school career to introduce Internet filters, however that is precisely why they would be necessary at the stage if students will be using the Internet. Although a student at this age may not understand what exactly they are being protected from and direct instruction on the topic would probably be pointless, if they are going to using the internet in a classroom setting or at home, teachers and parents should make it a point to install filters so that they are not exposed to any pornography, violence, or other harmful websites.

Some good Internet filters for parents and teachers to use at this grade level are:

[] [|http://www.netnanny.com] []

**GRADES 5-9**

Grades 5 through 9 would be an appropriate time to introduce the reason behind Internet filters to students. At this age students will begin to use the Internet more and more by themselves and therefore they should be aware that Internet filters exist for their protection. If blocked from certain sites or information, students may begin questioning teachers and parents as to why. By explaining to the reason early on, a teacher can make sure that the sites that are blocked are not a distraction from the lesson plan or research a student is performing.

One good way to introduce the idea of internet filters and the use of safe sites is to have students list reasons why they would need to use a certain website. For example, if a student wants to use Youtube, they could do a project involving the pros and cons of using that site and how using it would be beneficial to their understanding if a certain topic.

**Grades 9 -12**

Students in Grades 9 -12 probably have a significant amount of technical knowledge at this point. Because of this knowledge, a teacher can explain how Internet filters cannot only protect children in the classroom but they can also protect adults from things like identity theft and stolen bank information. As students get nearer to graduation, it may be a good idea to do a project in which students research internet filters on their own and come up with a plan for themselves to be established when they are living on their own.

**Additional Links/References:**

[] - this website from Microsoft describes the many ways that internet filters can be used as well as outlines resources that individuals can use to help protect themselves.

[]- outlines the popular advantages and disadvantages of Internet filters.