| The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of students who conduct term paper research with filtered Internet access in a suburban high school media center. A review of the literature makes it clear that the issue of using filters in school libraries is a critical and controversial dilemma in today's digital environment.; Using qualitative research methods with a grounded theory approach, the findings in this study indicate that filters used in high school media centers block legitimate, constitutionally-protected speech. Students experience both underblocking and overblocking. Although the school district had established a policy for users to request that a site be unblocked, it was not effective. Students in the study were adept at getting around the filter, using a variety of approaches. Students said they were frustrated, annoyed and angry when they were blocked by the filter. The majority of students felt that the school's filter hindered their work in doing Internet research for their papers. The students had many practical ideas on alternate solutions to filtering, although they had never been asked. Students did not feel they were permanently harmed when they came upon an occasional inappropriate Web site. There was a significant disconnect between the district's technology administrators and the classroom, which resulted in an undercurrent of frustration and hopelessness at effecting change. Although there was no evidence of a digital divide in this study setting, the students recognized how they would be disadvantaged if they were not able to go home and use their own unfiltered computers.; Even at the risk of losing federal funds, school districts should carefully consider whether filtering is necessary---or necessary at all grade levels. If the decision is made to filter, communication among students, teachers, librarians, and technology administrators is critically important to minimize the negative effects of filtering. Because the constitutional rights of students are at stake, districts need to exercise extreme caution that there is no filtering based on viewpoint. In districts where a digital divide exists, school leaders need to recognize the place of the library in ensuring equal access to information. |
