There is a debate going on in Dallas about whether library patrons should be able to freely access Internet porn on the library computers. I seem to remember a similar debate in my own little city not too long ago. A staggering amount of porn is viewed according to some studies of library computer use. One side of the debate says that the library computers are not intended to be used for viewing lewd material so filters or some kind of limits should be set. The other side says that the library should not be able to limit a person's freedom of information in any way. Some worry that filters would accidentally block some art or information on breast cancer or something.
To me, the fact that there is a debate about this seems absurd. Since when is a city library required to provide access to pornography on its computers? What right does a person have, when borrowing a government computer that is paid for by tax dollars and intended for constructive use, to demand that they be able to access pornography? If people want to view porn, they can buy their own computer, pay for their own Internet connection, and look until they turn blue. If they want to borrow the library's computer than they should have to respect whatever reasonable limits are in place to protect the family environment and honor the intended use of the computers. The library sets all kinds of limits. Books are due back in 3 weeks. Library cards are required to check out material. I've never tested it, but I am guessing that kids under 18 aren't allowed to check out rated "R" movies without a parent present. Why not put limits on computer use?
5 comments:
I hadn't heard about this, but I totally agree with you. A lot of people feel that they are obligated to EVERYTHING! Get your own porn! Blagh - anywho!
I agree Becky! I sure don't want my kid innocently walking by and seeing something they don't need to see.
You're right - it seems ridiculous that there's even an argument. Allowing people freedom of information does not mean that all information has to be free. Like you said, let them pay for it at home. And people are probably right about filters blocking some websites unintentionally (that does happen), but surely they can work with that to make sure that those sites are available again somehow if they should be.
Total agreement... what is there a debate????
I'm constantly amazed. Odd as it is, government employees (me) are not allowed to look at porn on our work computers. Do you know - even as much as they warn people - that there are still cases of this happening? A 60+ yr. old man, a contractor project manager (not civil servant) was dismissed recently for viewing porn on his work computer. Keystokes are monitored. If they're going to do it, I cannot understand how they think they can get by with it at work.
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