HIT: Internet Blocking

[Fairview HS <fairview@IU05TRC.TRINET.K12.PA.US>]

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I am looking for suggestions on Internet Blocking devices.  My school
district is considering software or hardware options to achieve this.  Since
we have a frame relay connection with almost 100 Internet terminals in 3
schools, they feel that some restrictions are necessary.  Any suggestions of
something already in use would be appreciated.

Peter Genco - Library Media Specialist.....
FHS Tech Team Leader, IASL Newsletter Editor, PSLA Tech Committee Chair
PHONE: (814) 474 1369 FAX: (814) 474 1115
email: fairview@iu05trc.trinet.k12.pa.us
URL: http://www.rhi.hi.is/~anne/peterj.html
FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL,7460 MCCRAY ROAD, FAIRVIEW, PA 16415 USA

Thank you to all who replied!

I feel the following was the best advice for our situation:

***
Read my article on Internet filtering in the September 1996 issue of
Technology Connection.

Carol Simpson, Facilitator - Library Technology
Mesquite (TX) Independent School District
csimpson@tenet.edu


The following replies were also received:

***
Last year I did some researh into screening devices.  One thing I found out
is that pictures are not screened out. The screening devices only screen for
words, not graphics or pictures.

Kathy Geronzin Northeast MS-HS Librarian Goose Lake, IA 52060
kgeronzin@po-1.northeast.k12.ia.us

***
I recently saw an IBM presentation about their Net Vista--it was impressive.
I have no idea what it costs, but I'd give them a call and ask for a demo!

Linda Kelso Hicks, Portage High School, Portage,IN
lhicks@dodo.crown.net

***
I called Classroom Connect, asked about SurfWatch and they recommended
CyberPatrol. It is cheaper then SurfWatch, but you do set up each machine.
Talk to them for better info.

Barbara Hansen, Media Specialist Norfolk Junior High  510 Pasewalk
Norfolk, NE 68701  bhansen@pluggers.esu8.k12.ne.us

***
We use Cyberpatrol and have been pleased with it. There isn't any program
that will block everything.

Harriette S. Arkin, Ladue School District, Director Instructional
Services/Technology 9703 Conway Road St. Louis, MO 63124
nvj000@mail.connect.more.net

***
We have Cyber Patrol on a network for our whole school district, and it
drives us crazy. I don't think I would recommend it at all.  It blocks
access to the Dr. Seuss and Giant Pumpkin sites, and several others that we
can find no reason to block, as well as it keeps us from typing combinations
of letters in Microsoft Word and Pine that might possibly be offensive to
someone somewhere.  My LM_NET is on a different server, so I am free to
write whatever I want from here.  I have disconnected Cyber Patrol from the
computers in the Media Center because it is such a pain.

Tawana West,Walker Elementary School, 1701 S. 40th Street, Springdale, AR
twest@comp.uark.edu

***
I would strongly suggest that your district rethink this idea.  Have your
technology committee consult with your school district lawyer. No matter
which program you purchase there will be loopholes, the number of sites that
proliferate vastly out numbers the updates that this software can handle.
Will you have the technical support to carry out this program? Someone will
have to do updates constantly.  What we have done in our district is each
student that will be using the Internet independently must sign an
agreement.  If they are under 18 their parents must also sign it. This warns
the parents of potential dangers and outlines the behavior expectations of
the student in relationship to Internet use.  We decided it was far safer to
warn the parents of potential danger than to promise to block sites that
parents would find objectionable and then not be able to do it.  You could
be setting your district up for a law suit.  Just some suggestions as we
have been through the process.  Hope this helps.

Ruie Chehak, Metro High School, 1212 7th Street SE Cedar Rapids, Ia 52401
rchehak@mail.cedar-rapids.k12.ia.us

***
Have you read this month's issue of Internet World (Nov. 1996)?  There is an
excellent article about Blocking software that you might want to read in
order to decide whether or not you really want to do this. We use an AUP
here and I have never had a problem with the students accessing unacceptable
material.

Pamela A. DeVoe, Arlington Heights High School,Fort Worth, TX 76108
devoe@fastlane.net

***
I just saw Cyber Patrol demo'd at an inservice today. It looked good, but
these programs filter text, so if you have a graphic with no inappropriate
words, that would slip through. You had the option of 3 levels of filtering
plus time and days - eg no access at all after school, on weekends, etc.
None of these programs are 100% a sure thing, but give the appearance of
your school having tried, reasonably, to filter. Combined with AUP's, good
monitoring, no student email or chat available, you probably could appear
somewhat secure...Common sense is needed, some students don't have it.

Joy Hogg, St. Ann School, Cadillac MI
edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu!jhogg@EDCEN.EHHS.CMICH.EDU

***
I attended a workshop session a couple of weeks ago that had handouts
evaluating the various blocking devices like Netnanny, Surfwatch, etc. I
could possible photocopy and mail those if you would like.  It may take me a
few days to get to.

Joanne Proctor, Most Pure Heart of Mary School, Topeka, KS
jmproctor@mphm.com

***
Almost more dismaying than the increasing use of blocking software by
schools and libraries is the repetition of erroneous statistical
information describing the amount of pornographic images on the Web.

The Detroit Free Press article, "Schools Learn to Limit Internet Access"
<http://www.freep.com/browsing/internet/qnet21.htm> hides behind a qualifier
in order to make the claim that "On the Internet ... smut and con artists
may be as common as useful information and sincere Netizens."  Following
this unsubstantiated statement with a reference to the 1995  Rimm study --
without noting that this study was widely discredited - is extremely
misleading.

I have included links to some of the reports criticizing Rimm's study and
explaining how he exaggerated his results, as well as links to articles
discussing the drawbacks of filtering tools, on a web guide called, "The
Internet Advocate" <http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/~lchampel/netadv.html>

I hope educators will invest in educating children about the Internet and
how to use it wisely -- instead of purchasing blocking tools.

Lisa, lchampel@monroe.lib.in.us

***
Remember, the problem with things like NetNanny etc. if you block ie. *sex*
then everything is blocked even things like census reports, or any gender
list with the sex heading.  We put the responsibility on the student rather
than on the Internet and I have the full backing of my principal.

Clete Schirra, South Park High School Media Center
2178 Ridge Road, Library PA 15129       schirrac@lis.pitt.edu

***
I just received "Electronic School", a supplement to the American School
Board Journal, September, 1996.  It has a very intersting discussion on the
subject of whether schools should limit access to the Internet and on
decency and free speech.  The part on free speech is  written by an
"authority on school law".  I think it's valuable to see a persepctive from
another group.

Linda A. Nichols, MLS, School Library System/Media Services
Steuben-Allegany BOCES, 6666 Babcock Hollow Rd. Bath, NY 14810
lnichols@csc.sctboces.org