On censorship

Security experts will tell you that you should password protect your home computer - even if it is a desktop computer that you don't normally allow no one else to use. There are all sorts of reasons behind this recommendation. Suppose you forget to tell your new teenage babysitter that the computer is off-limits? What if, heaven forbid, someone broke into your home?

Of course, there was a case where the thief logged into his social networking site and led the police right to him... rather Darwinian...

I can, should, and do password protect my computer and/or particular files on my computer; shouldn't I be able to password protect my ereader in the same way? Nook just launched password protection for the unit and for purchasing privileges in firmware update 1.5. Kindles support password protection on reading the content. Kindles do not support password protection on purchasing new content nor on retrieving content from the archive.

We are seriously considering investing in a Kindle (Wi-Fi) for the Neatnik's "big" Christmas present this year. She is a prolific reader and the inclusion of the two dictionaries is, in my opinion, a good teaching tool. Sure, she asks me what an unfamiliar word means when we are in the same room together, but she likes to read in bed before lights out, too. A Kindle for a minor child does, however, bring up certain issues.

As parents, we feel that it is not our right, but our duty, to monitor what our child views and reads. Neatnik is not allowed to use the computers at home unless Mommy or Daddy is there to supervise. We pre-screen movies if we have any doubts about their suitability. Given that Neatnik reads so far above grade level, we consult regularly with the local librarians for books that are challenging but yet not age-inappropriate.

There is a fairly well-defined rating system for movies. Web sites have disclaimers and age restrictions. These are accepted as good and proper in order to provide parents with tools to help them in their selection of media for their children. Why is it, then, when parents ask for parental controls and password protections on their ereaders that other people throw their (figurative) arms in the air and start yelling about they should not be sujected to censorship?

Guess what, folks: good parenting is all about setting limits and expectations. Parents should be involved in their children's recreational activities - including being aware of what they watch and what they read. Is it censorship? You betcha, and I, for one, refuse to apologize for it. Nobody is suggesting that ereaders censor or restrict what legal adults are reading. If someone does not want to opt-in on password protection, that is their right but what right do those folks have to criticize parents who are trying to protect their children from material that they do not consider suitable? Sure, you can tell your child they cannot download any new books. You can tell your child that certain books in your archive are off-limits.

Just remember this: your child is an imperfect human being, just like all the rest of us. Your child will make mistakes.

How many times have you accidentally opened the wrong file on your computer? If you give your child a book allowance, is it inconceivable that your child, no matter how responsible, might one time accidentally go over that limit?

Remember this, too: your child is an individual with free-will. Your child will inevitably push boundaries at some point.

Did you have a curfew as a teenager? How many times did you push that particular envelope? If being five minutes worked, did coming in ten minutes late work, too? Might your child want to read a book that you are reading? It's perfectly all right for an adult to read a police procedural with graphic descriptions of crimes and violations against another human being but will an eight or nine year old reading the same material become frightened, perhaps have nightmares?

Parental controls: I support them. Teaching your child values and morals and integrity are a parent's first priority, raising them to become responsible adults, capable of contributing positively to society. Parental controls, movie ratings, and password protections are simply tools which parents can use to help get the job done.