Public Use of the Internet

    People of all ages - from school aged children to senior citizens - are using the Internet.  Whether they are "surfing the net" at home, in school, or in public libraries, the Internet provides a vast source of information at the touch of the keyboard. Within this vast source of information are sites regarded as X-rated to minors.  Should public workstations limit access to such sites?  A new Federal law is trying to enact limited access to pornography on the Internet to minors, by requiring federally subsidized libraries to set up software filters to block sites containing offensive material.

    "The Boston Public Library uses software filters on all computers in children's sections, but not on other PCs.  The policy also allows children under 16 to use unfiltered terminals, but only with parental permission.  The key for us is permitting the parent to have a choice, to make that judgment for children."   -Bernard Margolis, Library President

   Another issue with public use of the internet is privacy.  Many web sites are set up to collect information from on line users.  The popular Geocities site offers free E-mail accounts in return for marketable personal information.  Users are required to fill out a questionnaire including names, incomes and other personal information. The information collected was used to solicit advertisements to over 2 million of its Web users without their consent.

The following sites provide additional information concerning legal issues, consumer rights, and responsible use of technology:

The Internet, is it a source of information? Or a source of contamination?

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Last Updated February 16, 2002