Senator J. James Exon's "Keep Internet Safe for Families" is an essay that speaks to the heart of what many parents are struggling with when they allow their children to use the Internet. Most parents want their children to take advantage of technology, but not if free speech means exposing their children to inappropriate material. Exon has proposed the Communications Decency Amendment, which would lay down some basic guidelines on the information superhighway (144). The amendment to the Telecommunications Reform Bill would toughen penalties for people who actively "transmit" pornographic and harassing material, extend fines from $50,000 to $100,000, and increase jail sentences from six months to two years.

Exon believes that the framers of the Constitution did not intend to protect the free expression of pornographers and pedophiles. He further believes that it is impossible for parents to monitor their children twenty-four hours a day. In many cases, children know more about computers than their parents, which is why Exon believes that it is necessary for lawmakers to set guidelines for Internet publications. Exon has this to say to critics: "'Come let us work together.' Nothing is etched in stone" (145).

Although the senator gives valid reasons for Internet censorship, his opinion is not shared by other people. The web site "Internet Censorship," by Adam Garlock, addressees the growing concerns of people who are against censorship of any kind.

According to Garlock, sex, violence, explicit language, and drugs are topics that some find extremely inappropriate, while some find nothing wrong with then at all. Therefore, if people have the right to decide for themselves what they want to see on the Internet, censoring material pertaining to these subjects would be unfair to those who enjoy it.

Garlock recognizes that one can access unwanted material on the Internet easily. However, the issue is not inappropriate material but whether or not the government has the right to censor the material. It is not the responsibility of the people who post the material on the Internet to concern themselves with negative opinions, but it is the responsibility of those who access the material to decide if it is appropriate for them to view. The bottom line is that Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the Declaration of Independence, said he was "strongly against censorship of any kind, believing that one should have the right to all information" ("Censorship").

Garlock makes a valid argument, and the web site Family Choice gives parents alternative ways to safeguard their children's use of the Internet. This site offers safe Internet access and a secure computing environment. Parents do not have to worry about their children accessing pornographic material or being harrassed by child predators.

The creators of Family Choice believe that families have rights to access the Internet just as they would frequent parks, shops, and other public places. Therefore, Family Choice does not charge additional fees for families to use software that can protect them from unwanted material. It is important to point out that this site promotes Christian values by supporting Christian churches and nonprofit organizations.

While I believe that we have a right to free speech, I also believe that we need to set guidelines for Internet publications. Last semester I published a web page about the dangers of smoking and how it affects pregnant women. I went to a search engine and typed in "pictures of pregnant women," and I was shocked to be guided to pictures of pregnant women performing all sorts of explicit sexual acts. Sadly, in the same way children can easily find inappropriate material, which is why I am in favor of some form of censorship on the Internet.

Exon, J. James. "Keep Internet Safe for Families." CyberReader. 2nd ed. Victor J. Vitanza. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1999. 144-145.

Family Choice. 9 Jan. 2001. 21 Sept. 2001. <http://www.familychoice.com>.

Garlock, Adam. "Internet Censorship." Garlock, Himebaugh, Associated, Inc. 21 Sept. 2001. <http://www.cannet.com/~adam/netcensr.html>.