My new essay is about internet censorship in schools (mainly high schools / high school libraries / high school computer labs & possibly public libraries, but focused on relevance to high school aged children).

Many schools have in place security software that prohibits students from accessing sites that contain certain material.

Setting aside what you think about myspace, facebook, etc, as i'm not really focussing on SOCIAL websites, i want you to tell me what you think about high school blocking.

I believe blocking has gone in excess, blocking material that would be very helpful: many filters block up to 50% of health information having to do with breast cancer, lesbians, gays, condoms, safe sex, STD's, etc. They also block pictures and other information that would be useful for education or research students are exploring such as gun safety, war, etc.

I think that schools should work WITH the internet, becoming savvy with the world of the web and creating better ways to educate students using the net than to block every page that could possibly be 'bad.' Safety is important, but in lieu of education? I believe that the response of schools need to change.

What do you think? Can you give me examples of being blocked in your high school? Did it hinder you? frustrate you? were useful sites blocked? did it irritate your teachers? do you think youtube could be used in classrooms? do you think teachers could show students in high school how to be responsible web users rather than trying to shelter them from the world?

High schoolers graduate to either go to work or college. If these are young adults, shouldn't they be treated as such? Schools are in place to educate. Well, they shouldn't only educate about math and events that occurred a hundred years ago. Current events and the current society are important aspects of our life here in the U.S. If so, how should students be successful if not taught to be self-censoring, responsible and internet savvy?

Please give me some good thoughts or replies. And know I'd like to quote what you write in my paper as one of my sources.

Thank you.