7 Filter Myths to Keep In Mind for Banned Sites Awareness Day and Always

As part of the American Association of School Librarian's "thinking outside the ban" blog series for banned websites awareness day, Doug Johnson dispels the following seven filtering myths. 

1. The Childhood Protection Act (CIPA) is specific and  broad in what must be filtered in schools. 
2. It’s the filtering company that determines what is blocked. 
3. Some sites must be blocked due to bandwidth limitations. 
4. The processes for re-consideration of print materials don’t apply to online resources.
5. The technology department must determine what is blocked. 
6. Internet filters are so good that supervision of students while online and instruction in online safety and appropriate use is not necessary. 
7. Internet filters and intellectual freedom are mutually exclusive.

To read the truth behind each of these myths, check out the original article here.



For more information about Banned Websites Awareness Day resources and support materials, please visit AASL Essential Links.

AASL Thinks Outside the Ban with Banned Websites Awareness Day - September 28th

Editor's Note:  This article was also posted on the American Association of School Librarian's site.  If you'd rather read it there, go here.  


More than a decade into the 21st century and the very tools and sites we need to ensure student success in the world are banned and blocked in many school and learning centers. Though banning and blocking is more convenient, it  is not what is right when it comes to preparing children, who will need to use and navigate these waters, for success in the 21st century. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL)  is bringing awareness to this problem by naming September 28th “Banned Websites Awareness Day.” This serves as an extension of the American Library Association’s long-standing censorship awareness campaign, Banned Books Week, beginning September 24. This new campaign directs national attention to the important conversation of the impact filtering has on our students.
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