A Congressional commission charged with studying ways to protect children online is opposing the idea of requiring public schools and libraries to use Internet filtering software. In a report released Friday, the 18-member COPA panel recommended that the government encourage the use of filtering technology to steer kids away from porn sites and other adult content. But the report stopped short of endorsing mandatory filters, saying that no technology currently available is ideal. We did consider them, but not even the most conservative members of the commission felt that was the road to go down. Free speech advocates applauded the commission's findings.
Filters block a whole lot of other things that are protected by the Constitution.
However, mandatory filtering may become law despite the commission's recommendations. House Republicans have tacked an ammendment onto the Department of Education's annual spending bill that would require schools and libraries to use filters if they buy technology with certain federal subsidies. A vote on the bill is expected to take place early next week. During Tuesday night's presidential debate, Republican candidate George W. Bush endorsed the use of Net filters. With the presidential election less than three weeks away, the stance could help Bush woo undecided voters at the polls.