All manner of fringe political groups have Web sites, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, assorted fascists. Once we extend the principle to political ideas, you can say good-bye to free debate. The irony of all this is that, as usual, the marketplace is already providing assistance to parents who are reasonably concerned with what their children may encounter in cyberspace. Several software products, such as SurfWatch, allow parents to prohibit access to sites that contain sexually explicit material. The advocates of government suppression say that those products are not perfect.
New sites are set up every day, keeping ahead of the free and unruly cybermarketplace is impossible.
Obviously, it is no substitute for a close relationship between parent and child, which means parents should learn something about the Internet and spend time online with their kids. But the new software can be helpful. The promise of government protection is seductive to parents who are too busy to be so involved with their kids. Throughout history, governments have usurped the authority of the family. Unfortunately, it has too often happened with the acquiescence, if not enthusiastic endorsement, of many parents.