1. Background and Rationale

Web filtering technologies prevent access from a computer to particular types of internet content. The Department actively uses filtering technologies to prevent the downloading of software that is malicious and disruptive or that can damage the network or degrade performance significantly. Web filtering technologies may also be used to restrict access to material which is considered inappropriate based on its subject matter, for example, depictions of violence and pornography.

2. Goal

The Department provides access to the internet for students, library patrons, Online Access Centre (OAC) users and employees. The goal of the Web Filtering Policy is to clarify the arrangements for the filtering of internet resources for these client groups.

3. Requirements

School and college students

Schools have a duty of care to ensure the safety of their students. This involves providing a safe physical and emotional environment for students. Risks to students that involve use of the internet can generally be considered foreseeable risks of harm or injury, which schools have a duty of care to take steps to prevent.

Therefore, schools are required to install and use the Networking Tasmania service, WebWasher. WebWasher has superseded the use of Schoolsnet internet Network Administrator (SINA) and the Networking Tasmania service, SmartFilter, in the schools environment. Schools are reminded that web filtering alone is not a web safety solution. Schools are also required to implement ICT Acceptable Use Agreements for students, ensure appropriate supervision of students using the internet and educate students to participate safely in a global information environment. These requirements are contained in the Web Safety Policy.

Libraries, Online Access Centres and Adult Education

The State Library of Tasmania and Tasmanian Communities Online use SmartFilter to filter access to the internet, as a measure to protect patrons from exposure to inappropriate material, and to ensure that such material is not displayed in a public place. Filtering is also used to protect the network from security risks posed by malicious software. Clients are also required to abide by the 'Conditions of Use'. Where a library or online access centre is co-located with a school, filtering is applied at the same level as that which applies in the school.

Student access to the internet as part of Adult Education classes is provided for purposes relating to their course of study. Adult Education sites are filtered according to the filtering arrangements of the course location.

Employees

Use of the internet by employees is filtered by the Networking Tasmania service, WebWasher.

Use of the internet by employees is governed by the departmental policy Acceptable Use by Employees of Information & Communication Technology Resources.