Intellectual Freedom: Internet Filtering

What is Internet Filtering?

Shortly after Internet access became common in U.S. libraries, the use of Internet filtering software began to increase. Internet filters are software programs that attempt to block access to web sites or pages with content such as pornography, hate speech, gratuitous violence or other materials that may be considered objectionable to some patrons. Both the American Library Association (ALA) and the Maryland Library Association Intellectual Freedom Panel maintain that the use of Internet filtering software blocks constitutionally protected speech and is therefore a form of censorship.

Read more at the Intellectual Freedom Manual of the Maryland Library Association:

https://www.mdlib.org/files/docs/divisions/ifap/filtering.pdf

ALA Resources on Internet Filtering

Filters and Filtering.

This document provides an overview of the issue of filtering in libraries, and includes numerous links to statements, documents, and further resources, including the key links listed below:

• Internet Filtering: an Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.
• This document elaborates on ALA’s position that Internet filtering in libraries is censorship.
• Statement on Library Use of Filtering Software (1997)
  On June 26, 1997, the United States Supreme Court in Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union, 521 U.S. 844 (1997), issued a sweeping reaffirmation of core First Amendment principles and held that communications over the Internet deserve the highest level of Constitutional protection.
• Resolution on Opposition to Federally Mandated Internet Filtering (2001). Endorsed during the 2001 ALA Midwinter Meeting.
• Guidelines to Minimize the Negative Effects of Internet Content Filters on Intellectual Freedom (2017), provides specific steps to reduce the impact of filtering on intellectual Freedom.

News & Updates about Internet Filtering

• State Laws Relating to Filtering, Blocking, and Usage Policies in Schools and Libraries (2016)
  National Conference of State Legislatures (updated periodically).
• Chapel Hill Rejects Internet Filters for Public Library
• Posted by Bruce Rosenbloom | Jan 26, 2017. Chapelboro.com. Accessed May 16, 2019. Example of a more recent examination of whether to use internet filters.

• Internet Filtering and Adolescent Exposure to Online Sexual Material (2018)
  by Andrew K. Przybylski and Victoria Nash, published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
• The Inconsistent Work of Web Filters: Mapping Information Access in Alabama Public Schools and Libraries (2017)
  By Chris Petersen, Shannon M. Oltmann, and Emily J.M. Knox, published in the International Journal of Communication.
• Access Still Denied: How School Internet Filtering Violates State Law And Hinders Academic Freedom (December 2017)
  By the ACLU of Rhode Island.
• Internet Filtering Technology and Aversive Online Experiences in Adolescents (2017)
  By Andrew K. Przybylski and Victoria Nash published in the Journal of Pediatrics
  "Contrary to our hypotheses, policy, and industry advice regarding the assumed benefits of filtering we found convincing evidence that Internet filters were not effective at shielding early adolescents from aversive online experiences."

• KidsCom 
• SafeKids.com  
• ALA “ Libraries and the Internet Toolkit: Tips for Parents”