Good intentions no excuse for internet ban
There are many things you can find on the internet that will make your eyebrows raise. There are many websites telling you how to manufacture drugs or explosives, websites promoting extremist views on politics or religion, and what not. Crazy people use the internet to spread their crazy ideas.
Some people believe we have to protect our children against those crazy ideas. They are quick to ask for bans of websites promoting the crazy ideas. Who would be against this if it protects our children, they say. Are you not crazy yourself if you’re against bans of those websites? We’re talking about the well-being of our children here!
A group of people in The Netherlands will ask today Parliament to ban pro-anorexia, or ‘pro-ana’, websites. Sure they have the best intentions, but their reasoning has two fatal flaws.
First, children are not protected at all by a ban on websites you don’t agree with. It can actually backfire. A ban will decrease the chance your child is exposed to crazy websites. But, no ban will prevent exposure completely. Websites move to different jurisdictions all the time, and the government is always a step behind. A ban on those websites will probably only increase the chance you don’t see your child is visiting other crazy websites. Without a ban, you would spot it much earlier. Don’t ask the government to act like a surrogate parent, but be a responsible parent yourself. Talk to your children about what they might see on the internet and teach them how to deal with websites promoting crazy ideas.
Second, your child is better off in a free society than a police state. Bans on websites issued by the government brings the police state a step closer. Because once you’re on the path closing down websites, there’s no way back. Now it’s pro-ana websites, what’s next? Some people will argue this website is bad for your child, or this one. Or this one. Some might be harmful to your children indeed, but only if they didn’t learn how to deal with it.
First of all – I agree with you.
I also do think that the parents are the ones who should watch their children and teach them about what they see…..
They can even decide themselves to install programs or via the router – and make websites unavailable…..
I am not sure if that is a goods idea….. But make the Government control this…?? No way !!
Second; You gave me a nice and big laugh with your last lines…..(and links)….
Right, it’s the parents who should take action. It’s their choice if they want to use a filter or something like that, but I think the most important thing you can do is actually talk to your children about it. Explain what they might see and how they can deal with it. And a good parent makes sure their children can talk about anything, so it’s more likely your child will come to you first to discuss any problem they have, instead of looking for support on those websites. I know, I sound like Dr. Phil right now…