Filtering, one step away from Censorship?

Here's something that has been bothering me and I am interested in hearing if anyone else sees this connection. At the 21st Century Learning Conference in Hong Kong last weekend, one of the forums was about blocking internet sites and AUP policies at different schools. Each panel member discussed the different filters their schools were currently using. From there the discussion moved on to how, as adults, we need to be careful what we are exposing children to on the internet. As I sat and listened to others engage in this conversation, something did not sit right for me.

How is filtering any different from censorship?

Who gets to decide what should or should not be filtered? Why does anyone think they have the right to decide what is right or wrong for my child? Why does anyone think they have the right to decide that? The discussion sounds so much like a discussion I have had many times as an English teacher. How is the issue of blocking certain websites any different than a special interest group telling me that I should or should not teach a certain piece of literature that they have decided is inappropriate for their child?

And perhaps my real question is this: When is education going to stand up and tell parents that it is their job to teach their values and beliefs at home, and if they do not agree with the way a school is teaching their children, they can chose to attend a different school?

Because let's be completely honest about the situation, as soon as we tell children that they are not allowed to do something, they want to do it. Students of today can break any firewall we put up. The second I tell my students that a book we are about to read has previously been banned somewhere in the world, they want to read it. The issue is not about taking things away; it is about teaching right and wrong. These discussion belong at home, not in my classroom, because each of us have our own ideals and values. What is the sense of creating a perfect AUP, if there is a solid code of conduct to which we expect students to uphold?

The internet and web 2.0 need to be seen as a tools for education. As a parent of 3 children, it is my job to educate my children about responsible global citizenship. I am well aware that my children may come across content that may be inappropriate. But honestly, that can happen anywhere. It is my responsibility to teach them what is and is not appropriate. How else will they know what to do when they come across something that is inappropriate? I can not shelter them forever. But my children need to learn the skills of online safety at home according to our family's set of values. As parents, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves about the policies, procedures and curriculum of a school and see if the institution is the right fit for our children. Schools should not be expected to cater to my individual needs and values.

Why are we losing site of this in the area of technology?