Comment on the Effectiveness of Internet Protection Measures and Safety Policies

Michael K. Reagan

Senior Vice President

Vericept Corporation

750 West Hampden Ave., Suite 550

Englewood, CO 80110-2163

800-262-0274

Current blocking and filtering technology only addresses a piece of the complex puzzle referred to as “Internet safety for children”. Because there are millions of new web pages created on a daily basis, it is impossible to categorizes, let alone block every web page that contains inappropriate content for children. Additionally, there are numerous new forms of communication to which students now have access, such as chat rooms, bulletin boards, instant messaging, web-based email and peer-to-peer applications, that pose a far greater risk to the safety of children than the viewing of pornographic or violent web page. While a standard blocking/filtering device can block some of the brand name programs, not all can be captured and blocked. Vericept Corporation advocates a combination of url filtering and comprehensive content monitoring of all forms of Internet communication for content that falls outside of a school’s appropriate use guidelines. Comprehensive content monitoring captures and retains a full copy of all network traffic that has inappropriate content. What is “inappropriate” can be defined by each individual school district, based upon a variety of categories of abuse that relate specifically to activity in school environments. Administrators and technical coordinators can then take appropriate action with students who go outside of the e-boundaries set by a school and take advantage of the teaching opportunity presented by such violations.

Url filtering solutions are a good start toward minimizing inappropriate Internet activity by students, but it must not be seen as the panacea to a problem that extends well beyond the viewing of web pages. If a mandate is to made for schools, it should be for a comprehensive program that includes educating students on the dangers of the Internet, what is and is not responsible use of the Internet and the consequences of veering outside of the acceptable use boundaries as defined the individual school district.