Marcin

Hey everyone, Just wanted to thank the government for launching this blog. I think it's a great step in the right direction and I'd like to express my opinions on why I think a mandatory filter is absolutely wrong. I do agree children need protection but instead of implementing a mandatory filter, costing tax payers millions of dollars. We should be looking at educating parents about the current issues facing young children browsing the internet and possible solutions to those problems. Parents should be educated about things such as: - Software Filters (Browsers, Addons). - ISP Level Filters. - Social Networks. - Instant Messengers. - Common internet terms and technologies. - And potential problems that children could run into online. A parent should have at least some idea on how the internet works. If their children are young enough. They should know what websites and internet services their children use. If their children won't tell them, they should know at least how to check a browsers history. A mandatory filter threatens all that the Internet is about. Free access to information for all. It allows small lobby groups to decide what the majority should have access too. (Christian lobby groups, Anti Abortion Right Groups, Etc) All while at the same time having little to no effect on actual predators that will do anything to trade in illicit material. Through such methods as encrypted networks, VPNs and whatever other technologies and means that may be out there. With all the technologies and methods out there, how much would a mandatory filter have to block to be actually effective? Onto a bit of a different point.. With the National Broadband Network coming online in the next few years. I can't believe the Opposition hasn't picked the government up on a pretty important point. We're told most Internet filters slow access by a certain margin. Some even slow the internet by a whopping 87%. By combining the National Broadband Network with a mandatory filter. Wouldn't we be getting a lemon? What would the real speeds be of our National Broadband Network with a mandatory filter? With everything taken under consideration. Is a mandatory internet filter a good idea? Several million dollars for something that has the potential to slow down our future NBN, limit access to some of the best rich content material and block legitimate content? (Ala, Britains watch group preventing anonymous access to Wikipedia) Stephen, spend the money in a better way. Educate the parents, pay a reward to people who help bring down online predators and invest in the NBN. ..Oh I hope to see a lot of you people at the anti mandatory filter rallies over the weekend. :) - Marcin