Computer, Internet, Privacy

INTERNET REGULATION: POLICING CYBERSPACE




The Internet is a method of communication and a source


of information that is becoming more popular among those who


are interested in, and have the time to surf the information


superhighway.   The problem with this much information being


accessible to this many people is that some of it is deemed


inappropriate for minors.   The government wants censorship,


but a segment of the population does not.   Legislative


regulation of the Internet would be an appropriate function


of the government.


The Communications Decency Act is an amendment which


prevents the information superhighway from becoming a


computer "red light district."   On June 14, 1995, by a vote


of 84-16, the United States Senate passed the amendment.   It


is now being brought through the House of Representatives.1


The Internet is owned and operated by the government,


which gives them the obligation to restrict the materials


available through it.   Though it appears to have sprung up


overnight, the inspiration of free-spirited hackers, it in


fact was born in Defense Department Cold War projects of the


1950s.2   The United States Government owns the Internet and


has the responsibility to determine who uses it and how it


is used.


The government must control what information is


accessible from its agencies.




This material is not lawfully available through


the mail or over the telephone, there is no valid


reason these perverts should be allowed unimpeded


on the Internet.   Since our initiative, the


industry has commendably advanced some blocking


devices, but they are not a substitute for


well-reasoned law.4


Because the Internet has become one of the biggest sources


of information in this world, legislative safeguards are

...