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There's no such thing as an age test
"Too few adult Web sites are taking the extra step to create another obstacle, another barrier, that can keep youngsters from accessing or stumbling on pornography," Lincoln said.

He's talking rubbish, since there's no way for a website to tell the difference between an adult visitor and a child, there's no way they could comply with that law. Even credit cards are issued to 14 years olds these days! So even billing a credit card doesn't tell you.

Instead of continuing with a law that could never work, why not go for ISP filtering which can.

ISPs can offer three levels of filtering service:

1. No filtering
2. All sites minus ones known to be porn.
3. Only a known set of child friendly sites

The parent can then choose what level of filtering they want, the ISP can give them a login screen too to change the level. So that if a parent wants to give their child wider access to the net, they can login and lower the level.

Server side ISP filtering because if it runs on the PC it can be bypassed (see Sony DRM).
It needs to be rated by a reviewer because you can't trust nonUSA sites to comply with USA law. Also because whether something is suitable is in the eyes of the viewer not the sender:

http://www.rantradio.com/shows/sktfm/pics/photoshop/show036/conviction-burgerburge.jpg

I disagree with those who say it's not possible to filter. It is, it's trivial!
Posted by: Nigel Johnstone   Posted on: 01/20/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Possible problem ...  worknman | 01/19/06
parental guidance problem not web problem  wageearner | 01/19/06
There are more important things for Congress to be doing.  mobrien_12@... | 01/19/06
There's no such thing as an age test  Nigel Johnstone | 01/20/06
They would have to put in a bypass for adults  Leria | 01/24/06
A simple definition  Roger Ramjet | 01/20/06
What about cartoons and drawings?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/20/06
Actually, no he hasn't  Leria | 01/24/06
Wow, that's leanient  nucrash | 01/20/06
Who defines "illegal"?  B. Short | 01/20/06
Leave it up to the individuals  Leria | 01/24/06
XXX domain  Roger Ramjet | 01/20/06
What about art...?  nucrash | 01/20/06
Not nude  Roger Ramjet | 01/20/06
Funny how...  nucrash | 01/20/06
What about medical?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/20/06
All I learned about sex, I learned from  nucrash | 01/20/06
I learned from the girl down the street.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/20/06
Actually the list is rather short  too_much green_tea | 01/20/06
RE: XXX domain by Roger Ramjet  btljooz | 01/21/06
Manufactured distraction from corruption...  shadar | 01/20/06
Republicans  Henrick Ericcson | 01/21/06
Oh my Gawd, lil Johnny seen a tittie. End of the world!  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/20/06
EXACTLY! He's gonna see them SOMETIME in his life anyway...  btljooz | 01/21/06
EXACTLY right!  Leria | 01/24/06
on the other hand...  shraven | 01/25/06
Never thought it would happen  GrumpyOldMan | 01/24/06
And here I thought they were worried about..  nucrash | 01/20/06
What's really going on  Henrick Ericcson | 01/21/06
Ye$ they do have Bigger Plan$!!!  btljooz | 01/21/06
Would be About as Effective as CAN SPAM  GeneBuettner | 01/20/06
Senators threaten new parent crackdown as well?  Boot_Agnostic | 01/20/06
Perhaps they should mandate women wear burqas.  B.O.F.H. | 01/20/06
Perhaps this is the semators worst vision:  B.O.F.H. | 01/20/06
BOFH  btljooz | 01/21/06
Quite True  Leria | 01/24/06
this is pointless  laxman2001 | 01/20/06
If kids want porn, they do NOT _____necessarily_____ NEED a Computer to  btljooz | 01/21/06
The REAL reason for this:  btljooz | 01/21/06
You are right on the money  Leria | 01/24/06
so pass it already.  shraven | 01/25/06

What do you think?

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