Modernizing Internet Filters in Schools is a Must

CINDY LUO
Staff Writer

In recent years, as digital technologies have advanced rapidly, how to properly utilize these improvements in school has been a critical issue. The Schools and Libraries program has been implemented since 1996 to provide more affordable Internet services for schools and libraries in America. According to the Children’s Internet Protection Act, one of the requirements to receive funding is that schools and libraries must use Internet filters to limit students’ access to material deemed “obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors.”

However, simply blocking websites has not been as effective as expected. The roll out of iPads in South Los Angeles, which resulted in chaos, serves as an example. According to the Los Angeles Times , students broke through filters and were able to access whatever they wanted.

In addition, some useful websites that can provide educational resources are also completely filtered out. For example, Pinterest has been known as an inspiration bank and discovery tool of visual arts. Pinterest users are able to collect project ideas by viewing other users’ artworks that are “pinned” on the web page. However, because the sharing method involves “social interaction”, Pinterest is defined as a media platform and is blocked on school computers.

As a solution to this issue, a more nuanced Internet filter should be invented and used to help promote digital learning. When teachers want students to expand their horizons and develop their creativity by viewing a variety of different artistic products, they deserve legitimate access to beneficial websites. Internet filters must be modernized to adapt to this new form of learning that involves and even requires modern technology.