In a report gathered today, it was discovered that previously unblocked mature content sites are now inaccessible through the network of Salem State.
Users of mature content sites will find the following message becoming frequently displayed:
Web Page Blocked
Access to the web page you were trying to visit has been blocked in accordance with company policy. Please contact your system administrator if you believe this is in error.
User: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
URL: 4chan.org/
Category: adult-or-sexually-explicit
Independent reports and tests confirm that many sites have recently been restricted access that were not blocked previously. It has also been reported that this affects users globally, whether you're staff, student, using a lab or using a personal laptop.
It is also reported that these sites are not within the same category as sites that pose security risks to the health of a network, e.g. hacking-related sites. Blocking these sites is a different topic.
The problem many people have with this is relating to maturity of content. Is everyone at a college mature enough by default to make their own choices on what they can view on the internet, or do we need an outside party to tell us what's appropriate for us to view?
This type of incident brings lots of questions of personal right to information, freedom of speech, legalities of minors, and even people who just don't care what happens. Some people hold the viewpoint that an agency should not make consenting decisions for you if you are of age. Some people believe that the sanctity of an educational institution should not be tarnished by explicit content, especially when that organization might have younger audiences using their network. Some people also believe that a large body like Salem State can make the choices they want, and we will be forced to accept those choices.
How do you feel? Should any governing agency limit your access to sites on the internet? How far does censorship go? Comment!
Edit: A copy of the User Agreement that students and guests must sign to use internet at Salem State is available at http://bit.ly/xk2wO.
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Hello, this is Dan Rockwood, the creator of the facebook group "bring back the porn". The college has no right what-so-ever to block any content on the internet. In order to get onto the SSC wireless network, everyone needs to download and install the VPN client and getting that to work even if you are a valid SSC student is difficult. The students and faculty of SSC have a right to view what they want to view. Isn't it a little hypocritical that upon entering this institution they throw (literally, throw) hundreds of condoms at us and provide them everywhere, yet we aren't able to watch porn? It seems ridiculous to me. I plan to email I.T. and there is a formal petition going around that will be presented to them. As students, we paid a shit load of money to go here and be connected to the internet anywhere on campus, and I will be damned if they start telling ME what I can view on my own personal computer.
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