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Labels may be created by: -Authors and publishers -Third-party independent services -Parents Labels may be distributed -With documents themselves -via compact disc -via on-line service or web server Blocking may occur at -The home computer -A proxy server -The online service -The information provider 29
Services May: -Be free or paid -Use computer analysis of text and images or employ people to assign labels -Block one subject broadly (eg. Just nudity) -Include multiple dimensions (eg. sex, violence, language, age) -Focus on a narrow subject (eg. Allow only history) 30
Establishing a rating service involves: -Defining categories or dimensions to rate, and setting scales for each -Creating labels -Setting up an online site -To provide a description of the service -To provide access to the labels -And optionally, arranging with information services or information providers to redistribute the labels 31
Next Steps -PICS develops standards -PICS proposes standards to the IETF and industry -Posts standards and public domain code implementing them on the web -Individual companies begin developing products implementing the standards

Table of Contents

Platform for Internet Content Selection

PICS Members

Table of Contents

Introduction

Ideally children use the Internet with their parents

But parents may not always be present and children may run into

The Solution:

Some software already addresses the problem

Scenario 1 Mom sets up system for 10 year old son.

She begins by creating a new account

She has a choice of services and levels. She chooses RSAC and sets minimum

Later when her son turns on the computer to begin using the internet...

he will sign on and enter his password before being allowed access to the

He might turn to a directory service such as Infoseek.

A request to visit an appropriate site such as Nickelodeon would be allowed.

Returning to the directory, ha might select a link to questionable material.

If he really needs access, he can ask his Mom's permission.

Later, when Mom is home

She can review the permission requests and allow access to specific content. She may also block specific content.

She can also set up a new account. This time for her 14 year old daughter.

When her daughter turns on the computer to begin using the internet...

She will sign on and enter her password before being allowed access to the internet.

She might also turn to a directory service. She might even select one of the links her brother tried.

Where as her brother was not allowed access to the same material, she has access because she is older.

Returning to the directory, she might select a link to questionable material.

How Selective Access works

Elements of the system