Rep. Ernest Istook Press Release.
Re: Filtering Software Bill.
Date: June 23, 1998.
Source:  Office of Rep. Ernest Istook.

Istook Acts to Protect Children From Internet Obscenity

Washington, D.C. - Children will be better protected from obscenity on the Internet, under a measure authored by Representative Ernest Istook (R-OK) and approved Tuesday by a House subcommittee.

It requires filtering software to be installed by public schools and libraries which receive federal funds for computers. The software would restrict computer access by minors to obscene or pornographic material.

"The Internet is a great educational resource," Istook commented, "but it’s also overflowing with pictures and material that shouldn’t be available to our kids. Even an innocent search will often take a computer user to these sites. Unless we use special software, this pornography can pop up on the screen even when a child is not looking for it. And we also want to remove the temptation, so kids won’t be trying to find it. When our tax money is used to provide Internet access, it must also protect our children from obscenity."

Istook said the cost of the software is minimal because it’s already common and is sold by many vendors, and the filter programs can be licensed at bulk rates.

The legislation provides that, if necessary, a school or library can provide an adult to help access non-obscene web sites that are inadvertently blocked by the software filter.

Istook successfully offered the language as an amendment to the appropriations bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. It was approved by the subcommittee, and next goes to the full House Appropriations Committee, and then to the full House.