The Internet has evolved and grown to encompass all kind of material, and naturally with this influx in material comes a need to enforce filters to prevent younger users from accessing inappropriate or graphic content. Yet in the case of any form of censorship there is a line between filtering content that is inappropriate and filtering content that only certain factions consider harmful. This is the issue that has manifested at Camdenton High School in central Missouri. According to an article published in The New York Times yesterday, the school has filters in place that prevent students from happening upon any site that portrays the gay community in a positive light. Students have access to websites that promote individuals becoming heterosexual, but they are prevented from viewing websites or even court cases that rule homosexual behavior as illegal.
However, these filters are not necessarily representative of the individual school’s wishes, but rather the school district’s decision to keep the filters unchanged, despite receiving instructions to do the opposite. Consequently, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the district of Camdenton last summer. Obviously in such a climate, individuals in the school are hesitant to step forward in fear of being socially ostracized. The school claims that some students have presented plans for a Gay-Straight Alliance club and they would have equal opportunity of school recognition. Yet the club still has not been established, and there doesn’t seem to be any plans to re-visit these plans anytime soon.
Having websites blocked in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act is pivotal. The only concern is when this law is abused in attempts to force a certain mindset or omit information from an issue. Blocking websites that contain no graphic content but just another side to a pertinent issue in society today is incredibly unfortunate. The educational system is where children should be educated to become well-informed citizens who promote open-mindedness and acceptance. Instead, abusing the filter system will only infringe upon high school students’ right to be informed on both sides of a debate. By creating an environment of oppression, the whole spirit of education and information will be tainted.
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