Access Denied: How Internet Filters Impact Student Learning in High Schools By Lynn Sutton

Access Denied: How Internet Filters Impact Student Learning in H ...

Chapter 2:

Framing the question: A review of the relevant literature

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The use of filtering software in public schools and libraries is of special concern, because adolescents’ health concerns often focus on issues related to sexuality, and because those who do not have computers at home rely on schools and libraries for Internet access. (p. 2888)

They noted the surprising lack of empirical studies on blocking errors. They simulated searching of health information questions, as well as pornographic searches, using six filters commonly used in schools and libraries. The results showed only minimal overblocking of legitimate health sites at the “least restrictive” level, but significantly more overblocking at the “most restrictive” level. The amount of overblocking varied according to topic. “Safe sex” was blocked much more extensively than other topics, such as breast cancer. The authors warn,

There may be principled reasons why some schools or libraries choose to block more than pornography, including some kinds of health information. These decisions, however, should be viewed as important policy decisions and not mere technical configuration issues to be left to network administrators. (p. 2893)

One research question in the study will explore to what extent outside influences from teachers or school administrators (other people’s parents) have on day-to-day library research needs by students.

The way in which the Kaiser study has been interpreted in the field reveals the dichotomy of opinion on the subject of filters. In a statement on the Kaiser study, noted free speech activist Nancy Willard (2002) emphasized the dangers of overblocking at the most restrictive level and states “this study clearly demonstrates the concerns about placing reliance on filtering software” (p. 3). On the other hand, H. Auld, author of the article “Filters work: Get over it” in American Libraries