"Although the public has an overwhelmingly
favourable view of the [internet], about half of the public also
views the internet as a "source of worry" due to an array of
concerns - ranging from on-line pornography and violence, to
privacy violations, to unresponsive providers and lack of
trustworthiness of on-line information…"
The general US approach towards controlling on-line activities
has focused on industry self-regulation, but this study suggests
that the public remains concerned that their interests are not
adequately protected by existing measures.
It continues by saying that the public:
"… want[s] to go beyond such black and white
choices as 'government regulation' or 'industry self-regulation' to
fashion approaches that involve government, industry, technical
experts, non-profit organizations and the public itself."
The research was primarily intended to ascertain the public
perception of the internet and the degree of confidence placed in
existing regulatory methods. The results indicate a high level of
enthusiasm for growing internet use with 83% of people surveyed
seeing it as a positive development.
This was overshadowed by the finding that 54% of those surveyed
felt they enjoyed fewer legal protections on-line than off-line and
70% taking the view that materials on the internet should be
approached with a degree of scepticism. The research clearly
indicates the public desire to see a more definite approach towards
internet regulation.
