No Filters, no aid in NJ

A Monmouth County New Jersey lawmaker wants public libraries and school districts to restrict Internet access for minors or risk losing state library aid. Read about it at The Asbury Park Press

\”In a news conference at the Statehouse yesterday, Corodemus compared allowing children to surf the Web freely with letting them play on a busy highway. Many parents are vigilant about policing what their children can see on computers at home, he said, so libraries should be no different. \”

A parent complained to the library trustees and the town\’s governing body about an incident, in which she said her son\’s \”mind was molested\”, her son came across a graphic sexual image. \”We know what we have to do at home, as parents,\” he said. \”But what happens when they\’re out of our protections? Who\’s there to supervise their activities on this superhighway?\”


The bill also requires public libraries to have adult library workers monitoring terminals used by minors, or to put computers in places where workers can see what\’s on the screen.


In Bradley Beach, computers in the public library were recently moved from the basement to the main floor, so library workers could see their screens.


For schools, which often have computers in libraries, student labs and classrooms, Corodemus\’ measure goes further, not only requiring filters but mandating every district to write policies that state clearly what types of information should be blocked.


Beth Spader, Brielle, attended the news conference, telling reporters about an incident two years ago when her then-11-year-old son, Tyler, came across a graphic sexual image while searching the Internet for wrestling photos on a public library computer.


Spader said she complained to the library trustees and the town\’s governing body about the incident, in which she said her son\’s \”mind was molested. They said it was not their responsibility to watch what my child was doing,\” she said.