I read with interest the Aug. 4 editorial “Protecting kids on the Internet.” Although I agree that parents and teachers, rather than Congress, should make decisions about software filters, filters are an essential part of the ability to keep kids safe on-line.
Your statement, “Filtering software is a crude instrument prone to two errors. . .,” does not take into account the dramatic advances in filtering technology made since SurfWatch first invented it in 1995.
Software filters are highly effective in protecting children from tens of thousands of Web sites dedicated to explicit sex and from thousands more that promote violence, gambling, hate and drugs.
Today’s technology accurately filters undesirable sites while not blocking other, possibly valuable, sites. Extensive work goes into building intelligent criteria and collecting lists of sites, among other features. All that, combined with secure technology, achieves this delicate balance.
All software filters are not of like quality, and some software companies have agendas that get promoted through their blocking choices. This does not mean that filtering software does not work or that all filters are overreaching. It simply means that parents should be knowledgeable about the products by testing the filters and choosing the one that is best for their child and situation.
