ACCESS DENIED

David Goldrich, 13, sits at his computer and clicks his mouse with one hand while clenching his other hand into a fist. For the second time today, he’s been denied access to a web site that he needs to use to complete a school assignment. Now he’s frustrated and angry. There’s nothing wrong with David’s computer or his computer skills; instead, he’s a victim of an overzealous software program that mistakenly blocked him from two harmless, educational web sites.

Unfortunately, David’s dilemma plagues many teens. Parents who worry about pornography on the Internet and about their children’s safety while surfing the web are turning increasingly to technology to extend the reach of their eyes and ears. In fact, the latest trend in parental controls involves stealth technology, such as keystroke recording and chat loggers.

Most kids we talked to about parental controls think that parents should judge their kids more favorably and give them the benefit of the doubt-a concept known in Hebrew as dan l’khaf zekhut. Parents, on the other hand, argue that the abundance of inappropriate material and the danger of meeting unsavory strangers online justify keeping a tight rein on Internet access.

Should kids be given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to Internet surfing? Check out what these Jewish kids and their parents think!

“I’m not stupid enough to give away my personal information to total strangers.”David Goldrich, 8th grade, Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, Livingston, New Jersey

“Having the monitoring actually helps our kids make good choices because they know someone is aware of what they are doing.”Michael Goldrich, David’s dad

“I can see why my parents would want me to have these parental controls, but I feel that sometimes parents should put some trust in their children.” Abby Duman, 7th grade, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Rockville, Maryland

“I don’t think there’s a specific age when a child is ready to surf the Internet without controls. There are many 11-year-olds who could use the Internet without controls, while there are plenty of 18-year-olds who need to be protected from themselves.”Liz Duman, Abby’s mom

“I use my mother’s e-mail account to send and receive e-mails, so I guess you could say I have strong parental controls.”Miriam Sussman, 6th grade, RASG Hebrew Academy, Miami Beach, Florida

“Our control over the time and content of our children’s computer access does not mean that we do not trust them. Children often do not feel harm will come to them and it is the parent’s obligation to try to protect them from dangers they may not be aware of.” Marsha Sussman, Miriam’s mom

For safety’s sake, the Torah (Devarim 22:8) commands homeowners to build a railing (ma’akeh) around the roof of their houses to prevent anyone from falling off. Later, the rabbis of the Talmud extended this obligation to include removing all dangers from our homes. Although our sages never anticipated the computer revolution, today’s desktop technology has exposed us to new dangers-vulgar content and strangers who wish us harm. It’s perhaps reasonable, therefore, to think of parental controls as sensible tools in fulfilling the mitzvah of ma’akeh.

What do you think? Sound off online at babaganewz.com.