Accessing LGBTQ+ Content in One US State: The Role of CIPA and Internet Filters
Shannon M. Oltmann · Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy · 2024
Passed in 2000, the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) required public schools and public libraries to use a technology protection measure to limit minors’ access to various types of content, though the specific implementation of this law is left up to individual institutions. In the subsequent 20+ years, internet filters have been used to block access to a wide range of content, including some that was not intended to be covered by CIPA. In this research project, we tested internet filters in public libraries across one Southern US state by examining whether we could access LGBTQ+ content; this data was then supplemented with interviews of library staff. We discovered that LGBTQ+ content was not inappropriately blocked but was in fact overwhelmingly accessible. Though previous research indicated LGBTQ+ content was blocked in some public libraries, this study did not corroborate these findings. It appears that implementation of internet filters to comply with CIPA has become less controversial and more routine than has been depicted.