Don't see the problem with this at all. Porn isn't being banned, you just have to ask for it.
Why should grown adults be required to ask for an uncensored connection? It's just another layer of completely pointless bureaucracy by meddling nanny state supporters. Not only that but the blocks are a sledgehammer approach to crack a nut, lots of other sites are also getting caught up in ISP blocks such as reddit, LGBT support sites, self harm support communities such as RYL, etc. TalkTalk's homesafe filter which is going to be one of the main ones in place is completely overzealous blocking things like Brighton Pride and Recover Your Life.
In any case the blocks have less to do with protecting children and more to do with trialling mass censorship technologies. It's just that 'protecting children' is a convenient way of selling it to the masses. BT's cleanfeed system was originally designed to protect the public from accidentally accessing child abuse sites, however it's now more commonly used to block access to file sharing sites. Soon it's going to be turned against regular porn sites and then what next? Other things the government disagrees with? Perhaps wikileaks for their part in releasing confidential government files, wouldn't take much to argue they're engaging in criminal behaviour and hence the public shouldn't be visiting their site. Perhaps sites supporting Edward Snowden who's wanted by authorities for releasing details about their mass surveillance programs? Maybe sites or blogs if they don't tow the official government line on certain issues for instance the prohibition of drugs such as cannabis? It's a very slippery slope and no government should ever be in the position that it can censor the internet should it wish to, the temptation is far too great and the general population have far too much to lose.
Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
For some reason our computer network, or something out of our control, has blocked any website with 'sex' and various other words in the URL. I thought it was parental controls until I finally had the guts to ask my parents and they said it had affected their computer as well!
Still have no idea what is causing it. It temporarily goes away when the network is reset and it has some pre-defined parental control options which would explain it, but it must keep setting itself because we aren't!
It's annoying when youtube URL's for example, which have random letters and numbers, accidentally spell out one of the forbidden words. It doesn't happen often though, and never when it's used within another word. Strange.
Whilst it is true that porn has become increasingly vile (and reliant on trafficked women), this move is a stealthy way introduce censorship, yet fails to address the root causes. If anything, by pushing it all into the blocked category, those who elect to opt in are more likely to be exposed to the darker corners of the internet.
If you are a parent you have a duty to ensure your children cannot access porn. Get expert help if you are genuinely unable to figure it out. Alternatively, keep the computer in a family room, with the screen facing into the room & do not let your child to use it unsupervised.
Completely agree with your last paragraph Parents need to stop using the internet as a babysitting tool and instead learn to interact with their kids and keep an eye on them. When I was younger there was one computer in the house and it was kept in the living room so my parents could always see what I was up to. There is absolutely no need for young children to have their own iPads or smart phones. Parents need to stop pandering to their little emperors and start being grown ups again. You wouldn't leave a child unsupervised with a lit candle or medication so why leave them unsupervised browsing chat rooms talking to goodness knows who?
Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
Completely agree with your last paragraph Parents need to stop using the internet as a babysitting tool and instead learn to interact with their kids and keep an eye on them. When I was younger there was one computer in the house and it was kept in the living room so my parents could always see what I was up to. There is absolutely no need for young children to have their own iPads or smart phones. Parents need to stop pandering to their little emperors and start being grown ups again. You wouldn't leave a child unsupervised with a lit candle or medication so why leave them unsupervised browsing chat rooms talking to goodness knows who?
There are lots of people out there who have children and don't care about thier general well being or what they get up to at all.
I disagree about it being censorship as people can still opt to have it, it isn't being banned completely, unless I've missed something?
I think it's a joke that little kids listen to and watch videos by girls like Rihanna etc. Society is ****ed up. If kids, in particular young girls, see slags like that as role models and lads are watching someone fist a woman up the arse till she prolapses then there are going to be a lot of seriously messed up young adults out there in a few years.
I agree it would be a negative if sites like this were blocked, but that is the only reason I can see that makes this a bad idea. All about opinions though
Apologies for the graphic description. That was one of the videos I was talking about a friend watching. I didn't mean to break any rules
Last edited by Forest Fire : 24-07-2013 at 09:39 PM.
Reason: making an exta point
There are lots of people out there who have children and don't care about thier general well being or what they get up to at all.
I disagree about it being censorship as people can still opt to have it, it isn't being banned completely, unless I've missed something?
I think it's a joke that little kids listen to and watch videos by girls like Rihanna etc. Society is ****ed up. If kids, in particular young girls, see slags like that as role models and lads are watching someone fist a woman up the arse till she prolapses then there are going to be a lot of seriously messed up young adults out there in a few years.
I agree it would be a negative if sites like this were blocked, but that is the only reason I can see that makes this a bad idea. All about opinions though
Why should we always cater to the lowest common denominator? You cannot parent by legislation. If there are issues or concerns, then Social Services should be stepping in.
Why should someone have to opt-in, and how would it be done? Who would have access to such a list? Would you need to ask every single provider, such as your home broadband, your mobile phone provider, etc? What about teenagers, or adults living with parents?
I would agree that viewing hardcore porn most probably does have some sort of influence on children, but again, the parents must take some responsibility for raising their children.
As for music, have you listen to the lyrics of songs from years ago?! They have always been reasonably explicit, whether that be with sex or drugs, or other "negative" influences. Most kids sing along because they like the melody - they have no idea of what they are actually saying.
Why should we always cater to the lowest common denominator? You cannot parent by legislation. If there are issues or concerns, then Social Services should be stepping in.
Why should someone have to opt-in, and how would it be done? Who would have access to such a list? Would you need to ask every single provider, such as your home broadband, your mobile phone provider, etc? What about teenagers, or adults living with parents?
I would agree that viewing hardcore porn most probably does have some sort of influence on children, but again, the parents must take some responsibility for raising their children.
As for music, have you listen to the lyrics of songs from years ago?! They have always been reasonably explicit, whether that be with sex or drugs, or other "negative" influences. Most kids sing along because they like the melody - they have no idea of what they are actually saying.
The children from people like that are most at risk. I have no argument for the rest of what you said.
Yes, Social Services make mistakes, no one is perfect. But legislating against everyone for the actions of poor parents seems extreme. Especially something as common as internet porn.
Are they going to censor sex scenes in films, or television programmes? They can be just as graphic, if not more so.
Parents need to stop using the internet as a babysitting tool and instead learn to interact with their kids and keep an eye on them. When I was younger there was one computer in the house and it was kept in the living room so my parents could always see what I was up to. There is absolutely no need for young children to have their own iPads or smart phones. Parents need to stop pandering to their little emperors and start being grown ups again. You wouldn't leave a child unsupervised with a lit candle or medication so why leave them unsupervised browsing chat rooms talking to goodness knows who?
