Internet is full of content that may be inappropriate for children and young people. One solution is software filters. In Sweden, their use is not very widespread and there are even strong voices against them. Using filters against harmful internet content is not a hot topic for Swedish parents. One explanation might be found in the SAFT-study from 2003, where 64% of parents stated that they had set rules regulating internet use. Parents may prefer control over seemingly complicated technical solutions. Additionally, according to the same study, 95% of Swedish parents use internet themselves and may thus be less prone to consider it a threat.

Swedish parents are mostly preoccupied with topics such as cyberbullying, grooming and voluntary dissemination of photographs and private information over the net: problems that are not addressed by filters.

Filters in schools Schools have begun using filters, mainly to stave off internet misuse during school hours. So the sites that are filtered out are more likely to be popular youth communities than obscure sites with violent or pornographic content.

Voices against filters Decisions on the use of filters at school are taken at a local level. This has provoked reactions from some national organisations promoting the educational use of computers. According to the association & magazine “Datorn i utbildningen” (Computer in education), filters and censorship are not compatible with proper learning that presupposes free information flow. Filters are unsophisticated tools that often block proper sites together with illicit ones.

Filters may also lead to a sense of false security. They are not foolproof and can be bypassed with technical savvy. In Sweden, many suggest educating children and youths to avoid or deal with harmful content themselves. It takes more time and effort than installing a software, but it may be more worthwhile.

In an article in the magazine “Datorn i utbildningen”, Lars-Erik Nilsson chose to include a quote (origin unknown) to summarise his opinion: ”The content on the internet is not a problem to be solved by censorship or automated filters but through active adult tutelage”.