To say that I was surprised is somewhat of an understatement, “gobsmacked” might be a better description.
 
Today I read that Australia is planning to introduce mandatory internet filter with the intention of blocking all child pornography sites and they have also decided to throw in sites that give “tips” on euthanasia or others that “glorify” anorexia for good measure. It’s a wonderful ambition to rid the world of some sites however it’s a dangerous game.
 
Now I’ve seen programmes about some of the anorexic sites and it turns my stomach that people are really encouraging others to get into starving themselves and that they are really unwell enough to think that it is attractive or healthy. However, I am aware that that is MY opinion, as is the fact that I think that most of these people need serious help. Most countries and most courts can’t agree on whether the individual can make these kind of decisions or not so who the heck got to decide that this kind of censorship was acceptable.
 
As a parent I can understand the desire to protect ones children from bad influences but at end of the day your kids are going to do what they are going to do and you have to hope that you have give them enough support and guidance that when they make mistakes that they will find a way through it.
 
Go down this route and we’re going to be censoring all conversations kids have because where do they learn this stuff anyway, ban certain reading materials etc.
 
Slippery slope, Australia, slippery slope.