As part of an ongoing national debate over what minors should be allowed to see online, the last Metro Council passed a resolution asking Nashville's library board to consider the use of filters on computers used by children. The board's response says Internet access will remain unrestricted, promising instead that minor users will first encounter a child-oriented Web page that will guide them away from inappropriate material. We acknowledge that it's complex and acknowledge it's important to people. We are working very hard to find what's right for Nashville. The use of electronic Web filters has been the subject of controversy, legal challenge and proposed legislation on the national level.
Proponents say they provide needed protection for children.
Those who question their use say filters, which attempt to screen out sites by searching for specific phrases, can have unintended consequences. I'm not going to tell you that every filter that's out there is bad. But the filter that you buy today is not going to work on the site created tomorrow. The Nashville library, which will offer users increased photo and graphic access after new construction and renovation of its facilities, is not ruling out installing filters at some point, Nicely said. Michelle Arriola, the Metro council member who sponsored the resolution about the use of filters, said she's still concerned about minors having access to unfiltered material.