Regulation and control of the Internet: is it feasible? Is it necessary?

Abstract

Discusses the demand for, and problems of, regulating access to the Internet and describes the results of a two- part survey into the question. Sixty-five sites on the World Wide Web were found to contain images which could cause offence, though relatively few might be considered 'porno graphic', and most had some form of control exercised by the site owner. A number of sites had closed down due to the demand placed upon them, but there was also evidence of closure by another body. The second part of the study reports on British universities' measures to control access by staff and students: the majority exercise no control other than that recommended by the UK Education and Research Networking Association (UKERNA), but the principal reason given is the impracticality of controlling the Internet, rather than content. Argues that regulation would damage the free flow of information over the Internet, which provides an unprecedented opportunity for the exchange of information on a global scale.