The Internet has over 55 million pages of content created by individuals, companies, non-profit organizations, and so on, posted on over 2 million Web sites worldwide. There are also many conversational areas on the Internet, including chat rooms and bulletin boards where people exchange messages on tens of thousands of subjects. Somewhere around 100 million people worldwide currently communicate over the Internet.
Software filters can be used to block an individuals access to certain content and speech on the Internet. Content can be blocked according to a list of known Web sites or a list of particular words appearing on Web sites or other areas of the Internet. Content can also be blocked because it has been labeled with a particular rating. Such ratings would describe the contents of the Web site or speech according to a particular standard.
In this survey, we are interested in your opinion about these important issues. The survey should take about ten minutes to complete.
1. How informed are you regarding the issues of software filters, labeling content according to a particular rating, and blocking an individual's access to certain content and speech on the Internet? I am very informed about these issues. I am moderately informed about these issues. I am only slightly informed about these issues. This survey is the first time I have heard about these issues.
I am very informed about these issues. I am moderately informed about these issues. I am only slightly informed about these issues. This survey is the first time I have heard about these issues.
It is an extremely serious problem. It is a problem, but not a serious one. It is not a problem.
More than 50%. Between 25 and 50%. Between 10 and 25%. Between 6 and 10% 5% or less.
Very easy. Somewhat easy. Somewhat difficult. Very difficult.
Strongly agree. Agree. Neither agree or disagree. Disagree. Strongly disagree.
Very frequently. Somewhat frequently. Somewhat infrequently. Very infrequently. Never.
Software filters should be installed by the Internet provider (for example, Netcom, MCI, or AOL). Software filters should be installed in the Web browser. Software filters should be available as optional software. Software filters are unnecessary.
Set to ON by default, and I choose to turn the software filter off. Set to OFF by default, and I choose to turn the software filter on. Software filters are unnecessary.
Set to ON by default, and an adult chooses to turn the software filter off. Set to OFF by default, and an adult chooses to turn the software filter on. Software filters are unnecessary.
I should not be notified when content is being blocked. I should be notified when content is being blocked, but not given the choice to override the filter. I should be notified when content is being blocked, and be given the choice to override the filter. Software filters are unnecessary.
The minor should not be notified when content is being blocked. The minor should be notified when content is being blocked, but not given the choice to override the filter. The minor should be notified when content is being blocked, and be given the choice to override the filter. Software filters are unnecessary.
The benefits of blocking greatly outweigh the risks. The benefits somewhat outweigh the risks. The benefits equal the risks. The risks somewhat outweigh the benefits. The risks greatly outweigh the benefits.
Alternative lifestyles Bomb-making and explosives Cults and witchcraft Gay and lesbian issues Hate speech Illegal activities such as drug use Sexual content (text) designed to arouse Sexual content (text) designed to inform Sexual images designed to arouse Sexual images designed to inform Violence Software filters are unnecessary for any type of content on the Internet.
Personal Web sites. Commercial Web sites. Chat rooms. E-mail. Discussion groups. File transfer sites (for file downloading). Software filters are unnecessary for any area of the Internet.
Strongly in favor of software filters. Somewhat in favor of software filters. Somewhat against software filters. Strongly against software filters.
Software filters should block content according to a list of known Web sites. Software filters should block content according to a list of particular words appearing on Web sites. Software filters should block content according to a label with a particular rating. Software filters should block images according to a label with a particular rating. Software filters are unnecessary.
Definitely should be disclosed. Probably should be disclosed. Probably should not be disclosed. Definitely should not be disclosed.
Software filters should not be mandatory on any computer in public libraries. Software filters should be mandatory only on computers that are specifically for the use of children in the public library. Software filters should be available on some computers for library patrons who want to use them. Software filters should be mandatory on all computers that library patrons use.
Software filters should not be mandatory on any computers that students use. Software filters should be mandatory only on computers that are used by students in grades K-4 (ages 5-10). Software filters should be mandatory only on computers that are used by students in grades K-8 (ages 5-13). Software filters should be available on some computers for students who want to use them. Software filters should be mandatory on all computers that students in grades K-12 (ages 5-17) use.
Software filters should not be mandatory on any computers in these public venues. Software filters should be mandatory only on computers that are specifically for the use of children in these public venues. Software filters should be available on some computers for patrons who want to use them. Software filters should be mandatory on all computers in these public venues.
The Federal or national Government. State or regional governments. Local (city/county) governments. An elected commission. An Internet industry trade group. An independent third party (other than above). Parents. Software filters are unnecessary. Not sure.
Software filters are not installed on any computers in my household. Software filters are installed, but used only by children under the age of 10. Software filters are installed, but used only by children under the age of 13. Software filters are installed, but used only by children under the age 17. Software filters are installed, and are used by everyone in the household. Not sure. Computers, if any, in my household are not connected to the Internet.
All content on the Internet should be rated. Some content on the Internet should be rated. No content on the Internet should be rated.
Alternative lifestyles Bomb-making and explosives Cults and witchcraft Gay and lesbian issues Hate speech Illegal activities such as drug use Sexual content (text) designed to arouse Sexual content (text) designed to inform Sexual images designed to arouse Sexual images designed to inform Violence Content ratings are unnecessary on any type of content on the Internet.
Personal Web sites. Commercial Web sites. Chat rooms. E-mail. Discussion groups. File transfer sites (for file downloading). Content ratings are unnecessary for any area of the Internet.
The Federal or national Government. State or regional governments. Local (city/county) governments. An elected commission. An Internet industry trade group. An independent third party (other than above). Parents. Content ratings are unnecessary on the Internet. Not sure.
Strongly agree. Agree. Neither agree nor disagree. Disagree. Strongly disagree.
The government. Internet providers (for example, Netcom, MCI, or AOL). Web users. The creator of the content. Not sure.
Protecting children from objectionable content on the Internet is more important than guaranteeing free speech. Both the guarantee of free speech on the Internet and protecting children from objectionable content are equally important. Guaranteeing free speech on the Internet is more important than protecting children from objectionable content.
Should definitely be mandated by law. Should probably be mandated by law. Should probably not be mandated by law. Should definitely not be mandated by law.
My household will probably not use the V-chip to block television programming for anyone. My household will probably use the V-chip to block television programming when children under the age of 10 are viewing. My household will probably use the V-chip to block television programming when children under the age of 13 are viewing. My household will probably use the V-chip to block television programming for everyone. Not sure.
This questionnaire was developed by: Donna Hoffman and Tom Novak, Project 2000, Vanderbilt University