Most Australian internet users will have their web access censored next month after the nation's two largest internet providers agreed to block access to websites that have themes considered to be unsuitable by the Federal Government of Australia.

Telstra and Optus have agreed to block access to 500 child abuse sites identified by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and additional sites provided by "reputable" international organizations.

Some Internet users have lauded the plan while others are opposing such move. Here are thoughts to ponder as to whether the move will indeed be effective:

VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE. The Internet has been an area where pedophiles can easily access -- for a fee or free -- shocking images of children. Blacklisting the pornographic sites will bankrupt the businesses that are into child exploitation. Without those businesses, we won't be having children from the other side of the world, most of them from third world countries, being forced to pose nude in exchange for a few dollars. Removing pornography also reduces the demand for women and children being trafficked into prostitution. It could be someone you love that could be among the victims of child abduction in this multi-billion dollar industry.

MATURE CONTENT. Many kids accidentally encounter pornography online. If the sites showing illicit contents, we don't need to sit with our kids while they are online. Do you want your kids to have easy access to hardcore, explicit content?

COST-FREE. The voluntary scheme was originally proposed by the federal government last year as part of a $9.8 million scheme to encourage ISPs to blacklist certain sites, but the government later dropped the funding. This time, the ISPs have voluntarily agreed to filter sites. Hence, economically, the government is advancing a policy without any cost.

BASIC FILTERING. Telstra, Optus and two other smaller ISP's will filter out websites that are in the list provided by ACMA. But, users can use virtual private network to bypass the Internet restrictions by "tunneling" the network connection to a different region. An anonymous proxy -- where a proxy server accesses the Internet on the user's behalf -- can also be used to make activity on the Internet untraceable. Hence, will the scheme really stop people from accessing obscene material online?

CHANGING URLs. The filters block URLs-website addresses-only. Porn sites can easily change their URLs every time they are blacklisted. Will Telstra or the Australian government be employing who will check for illicit sites everyday? Will they pass the costs to taxpayers or the Internet subscribers?

FACEBOOK. Peer-to-peer networks, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Yahoo Messenger and any e-mail service can be used to exchange files containing child abuse materials. Will they also blacklist these legitimate sites?

APPEALS. The Australian government and the ISPs have not provided any guidelines except saying that they'll blacklist sites as provided by the ACMA and "reputable" international organizations.What if the legitimate sites are blocked? Would there be an appeals process for website owners? Will Telstra be putting up an appeals court? Is a board of righteous, non-immoral individuals deciding whether a site is providing appropriate or inappropriate content?

NOTORIOUS LIST OF COUNTRIES. With the new censorship rules, Australia would be joining a list of countries, including China, North Korea and Iran, who are restricting Internet access.

START OF SOMETHING BIGGER. For now its only child porn sites but it could be a precedent to something more invasive. If the government is allowed to start putting up restrictions, it would be an invitation to put up more restrictions to other information the government does not want shared. If a site contains opposition or contradictory opinion to the government leaders, would the site be blocked too?

LAW ENFORCEMENT. Will the Telstra police give a warning before blacklisting the site? Will the police lift the listing after the site does some sort of community service? Telstra and the other ISPs do not have jurisdiction here. It is the Federal Police's job to stop criminals from what they are doing.

CONSULTATION. Telstra and Optus did consult or even inform customers about the new schemes. Other ISPs should inform whether they will also adhere to the Internet restrictions so that subscribers won't waste money switching ISPs.

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