Senators call for universal Internet filtering

At the end of a U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing last Wednesday, Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) called for the universal implementation of filtering and monitoring technologies on the Internet. They argue that reliance on the use of filtering technology by parents is not sufficient to protect children. While filtering and monitoring technologies can help parents screen out offensive content and monitor their child’s online activities, "the use of these technologies is far from universal and may not be fool-proof in keeping kids away from adult material." They want the Federal Communications Commission to identify industry practices "that can limit the transmission of child pornography."

Civil liberties groups were not invited to the hearing and have expressed concerns about the First Amendment rights of Internet users.