Clear out porn sites from the path of Danish children when surfing the World Wide Web at libraries: such is the aim of the initiative launched by the Danish Minister of Culture last month when offering internet filters to all libraries in the country.

”It is important that every library in the country has the opportunity to protect children against pornographic material when they are using library computers. It is a main priority for me as Culture Minister to make sure children can surf the net safely at libraries”, states Brian Mikkelsen in a press- release of the Danish Ministry of Culture.

A 2001 survey showed that 2,5 % of Danish libraries used filters on their computers. In 2003 this number had increased to 6%. Whether this number will increase more after this initiative is uncertain. The fact that the offer is optional is important according to a news article of the Danish Librarians’ Union, published in response to the Minister’s statements. If a municipality chooses to make use of the offer it is important that the filter does not block useful information such as sexual education for youths.

The Union also stresses that filters are not sufficient to keep children safe: they have to be combined with education on safe online behaviour.

On the website of the Danish Media Council for Children and Young People you can find information and practical tools, such as educational material for parents and teachers about web ethics and safe surfing on the internet. There is also information concerning internet filters (in Danish).