The fundamental problem is that Internet technology provides access to a very broad range of material including a good deal of material that is pornographic and illegal.
All states have laws restricting distribution of pornographic materials by adults to children.
As libraries provide access to the Internet for their patrons they find they are making illegal pornography available to children. In community after community conflict has arisen. Librarians and Library Boards struggle to promote open access to the broadest range of information and to defend the First Amendment Rights of their patrons. Parents express concern about the exposure of children to dehumanizing pornography, and general governmental officials express dismay at the lack of responsibility. On one hand, this conflict is furthered by ignorance of the nature and scope of Internet pornography.