Introduction


14 reasons why the filter is a bad idea

Cost goes up

Speed goes down

Reliability goes down

Free speech is weakened

The filter is based on lies

Security risk is increased

Risk to privacy

The filter won't work

Overblocking

Anything can be blocked

Other costs

Putting kids at risk

No need - no want

There are better alternatives


What can I do?

FAQ

Links and further reading

Feedback

No need – no want

No need

Proponents of the filter say that there is a need for a mandatory internet filter. There is no such need. The filter is a poor solution to a problem that does not exist. Yes, there's legal content out there that might raise some eyebrows. You are very unlikely to find it accidentally. If you do stumble upon it, just ignore it. If it still bothers you, use one of the optional filters that are already available, or use one of the ISPs that offers a filtered internet connection.

For illegal content, you would be kidding yourself if you think that someone who is already engaging in illegal activity will be stopped by the filter, particularly when circumventing the filter will (allegedly) not itself be an illegal activity.

No want

Proponents of the filter say that people want a mandatory internet filter. There is no evidence that that is true. Proponents of the filter like to cite surveys that have been commissioned by proponents of the filter and where the questions have been rigged to get the answer that they want. In reality it is only the rabid minority that want the filter.

The previous government offered filtering software free to all Australian households. Despite that, and a massive spend on advertising, only a tiny fraction of households took up the offer. Australian households just aren't interested!

The truth is out

The government's own web site contains a report that tells us why households who don't use filtering software made that choice.

  • 50% - they trust their child
  • 17% - unnecessary due to other safeguards
  • 5% - unsure how to install the software
  • 4% - unaware of the usefulness of the software
  • 4% - software proved to be too restrictive
  • 3% - unsure where to obtain the software