LISNews: Librarian News

madcow writes "Boingboing has the link to an article in Reuter's about MS plans.

"Microsoft plans to roll out Windows Live Family Safety Settings in the summer, which will allow parents to filter Web sites and receive reports to see what their children are doing online. The company also plans to eventually allow parents to control who communicates with their children over e-mail, instant messaging and in their blogs."

As a parent I'm still trying to come to grips with the problem of inappropriate things for my kids. I'm also aware of how badly most filtering software operates. I suspect we'll continue to just make sure the kids computer stays out in the family room..."

The NYTimes Has some coverage of a "rare" briefing with Liu Zhengrong, supervisor og Internet affairs for the information office of the Chinese State Council, or cabinet, did not dispute charges that China operates a technologically sophisticated firewall to protect the ruling Communist Party against what it treats as Web-based challenges from people inside China and abroad.

Mr. Liu said the major thrust of the Chinese effort to regulate content on the Web was aimed at preventing the spread of pornography or other content harmful to teenagers and children. He said that its concerns in this area differ minimally from those in developed countries.

A quickie from AP with important consequences:

"The Kansas House advanced a bill today to keep children from viewing Internet pornography or check out R-rated movies at public libraries."

"The House's voice vote sets up a final vote, expected Thursday. Passage would send the measure to the Senate, which ignored similar legislation in 2004."

Read The Bill and watch the The House's final vote, expected Thursday. Passage would send the measure to the Senate, which ignored similar legislation in 2004.

C|Net Asks: Do Web filters protect your child? Millions of parents around the country rely on Web filtering software to shield their children from the nasty side of the Internet--porn, predators and other unseemly phenomena.

But according to the U.S. Justice Department, Web filters are not enough to protect minors. The agency voiced its concern about the technology last week as it geared up to defend an antiporn law that's under attack from civil liberties advocates.