NCJ Number
192721
Date Published
October 2000
Length
95 pages
Annotation
This report to the U.S. Congress by the Commission on Online Child Protection contains the Commission's findings regarding the technologies and methods designed to reduce minors' access to Internet material harmful to them.
Abstract
The Commission studied a wide range of child-protective technologies and methods, including filtering and blocking services; labeling and rating systems; age verification efforts; the possibility of a new top-level domain for harmful-to-minors material; "greenspaces" that contain only child-appropriate materials; Internet monitoring and time-limiting technologies; acceptable-use policies and family contracts; online resources that provide access to protective technologies and methods; and options for increased prosecution against illegal online material. The positive and negative attributes of each of the technologies and methods are assessed in this report. After consideration of the information obtained through hearings and comments, the Commission concluded that no single technology or method will effectively protect children from harmful material online. Rather, the Commission determined that a combination of public education, consumer empowerment technologies and methods, increased enforcement of existing laws, and industry action are needed to address the concern about the harm some Internet material can cause children. Specific Commission recommendations are grouped under the efforts of public education, consumer empowerment, law enforcement, and Internet industry action. 13 figures and appended views by individual commissioners