Ok. Maybe I'm not making myself clear.
The way I understand the article is a total block on porn on the internet in the name of "save the children" that is how I understand it. The ISP already said they have tools that parents can use to block these sites, but the proposal was to create a "blacklist"
In response to the government proposal, Nicholas Lansman, secretary general of the Ispa industry body, said: "Ispa firmly believes that controls on children's access to the internet should be managed by parents and carers with the tools ISPs provide, rather than being imposed top-down."
Top-down method would be blocking from ISP FIRST then trickle down to the homes. This is censorship to everyone not just the children.
While some proponents of a national pornographic filtering scheme cite the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) as an example of how such a scheme might work, Mr Davies said it was not a good guide.
The IWF circulates a list to ISPs of sites found to be hosting illegal images of child sexual abuse.
However, said Mr Davies, the IWF draws up its list largely using information passed to it by the public. In addition it only tackles illegal content found on websites.
Such a system would not work if it was used to deal with millions of porn sites, chat rooms and bulletin boards, he said.
Experience with filtering systems, he said, shows that they are a very blunt tool that often blocks access to sites that could be useful.
"You end up with a system that's either hugely expensive and a losing battle because there are millions of these sites or it's just not effective," he said.
I guess I am confusing you by saying censorship. The censorship I worry about is a blanket version (i.e. from the quote above) that the group is proposing from the top-down method. This eliminates the parents. This means that porn is block at all levels. (legal or illegal, but as ISPs have said that the task is not possible or cost effective and run into legal issues.) the idea of that scares me that the government thinks they can start censoring the internet like China.
Now lets go with the 2nd point. While in the home, the parents should have full control of their home. Dave has said he have install many tools on his network and teaches his children about the internet. This method I approve. Now your example of viewing porn on the internet vs gas station shop. In your room, how does ISP know which PC is the kids? are we going to assign static IP for all child base PC? are we going to monitor all children in the world? how can we tell the difference between an adult looking at LEGAL porn vs a child looking at the same porn (legal for adults i.e. no pedo stuff or children sexual abuse etc etc.. you get the idea) At a gas station, an adult (normally in Texas you have to be over 18 to sell porn or serve alcohol in Texas not sure of other states) An adult selling porn to children will be punish under the law.
3rd point: it kinds merge with 2nd point on HOW would you know if it is a child or an adult behind that PC? are we going to institute monitoring system across all PC (China tried this and failed)
4th point: you got a minor point. The problem is that while physically buying porn, the parents cannot intervene immediately like they can on a PC (i.e. gatekeeper) a child could by porn and then hide it in a secret location etc etc. It would be harder to monitor children at that point. In the home, the parents should have full control of the internet filtering and teach their kids accordingly.
5th one: this is a tough one. I may have to think more about it. The only thing I can say about it is that from what I have read, the "discussion" was to make ISP block this from the top-down. this is totally different since it block it for everyone. At least when you physically go to the store, ID can be verified via state issue ID (of course we do have fake ids but that is a different story) and other age verification system. Online, it is harder. A kid can steal ID/passwords and other stuff and log in. There is no way a PC or ISP can tell if the person looking at the screen is an adult or a child. Unless you institute some biometric system that has to verify are you an adult or child using the PC and have it constantly monitor itself and lock when user is not using it.
Edit: FLP, these are very good questions and should be ask and answered. The main difference between the virtual world and real world is that in the real world, a physical person can ID/verify adult status of another physical person. Thus transaction of legal material can be done and monitor. The laws are in place in case one of the adult breaks that law.
In the virtual world, such verification in short of everyone getting chipped or biometric on their PC would be nearly impossible. With the right info, I can pose as anyone no matter what kind of "info verification" you use. ID/Password? no problem if you are not careful with it. Credit Cards? everyone has them and pretty easy to steal your parent's wallet. SS number? that just open a whole new can of worms a company don't want to deal with. Valid State ID number? again, such information can be copy and use online. In the virtual world, it is much harder to verify if you are an adult or not. A person can easily lie saying "yes I'm over 13 and sign up for the board" with all the "credential" even faxed over to a location because there is no physical verification.
Edit edit: Now of course there WILL be cases where a child might look old enough (i.e. look 20 but actually 15) may try to buy cigarettes and porn, but the adult in charge (again in Texas you HAVE to be 18 before you can work at these place and sell them) requires to ID by law. i.e. physical verification. If there is question on the validity of said document (i.e. fake license/ID) the store CAN refuse to sell.
Can this be done online with same effect as in real life? again, not without a major change in our culture (i.e. everyone is chipped/tagged or use Biometric with central data system with government agencies)
