The Help Centers

Since I do a LOT of support and browse a lot of help and answer sites I’ve come across a LOt of people asking the following questions.

• “How can I get to MySpace at school it’s blocked”
• “I can’t surf to this site at work is  there something I can do?”
• “My parents have blocked my internet can I fix it?”
• “I can’t send mail they have blocked me from sending”

Now I have a few ways to do this but I never really answer how to do this (except the last one for my clients).  Why? I’ve got several reasons.Read More Below...

First off it COULD be illegal.  I don’t know and most of the time I see this question it’s also not my job.

If it’s at work.  The Internet access provided by your employer  is not for your fun.  It’s for your JOB.  It would be like using the copier to print out fliers for a party.  Maybe your boss is OK with that but maybe not.  If you don’t like it then talk to your boss.  Trying to hack around can get you into trouble (much like breaking into the vending machines in the lunch room)

At school this is a HARD one.  First I believe in free speech and freedom and all that.  HOWEVER  many people hoist the responsibility of parenting their children on an overburdened school system.  In a community there are is a common level of decency.   An extreme example is that in little town America women can go out with heads uncovered but men must wear pants.   On the Internet there are site that while are in the bounds of free speech do not meet many communities decency requirements.  If a student was to get to one of these sites then the school could be held liable.  The ability to block the internal network against potentially malicious sites is also a way to protect the school’s network.  Also unless you are doing a project on social networks there is little reason for students to be on MySpace at school.   While it would seem unfair that the schools blanket ban swaths of the internet they are forced to because of lack of training,  equipment and finances.  At the end of the day it’s easier to just block most everything than to manage the network.  A cop out?  Yes.  But most schools have to cut corners as they are stretched farther and farther from crowding, lack of funds, inept parenting and standardized testing.  Hacking around these could lead to suspension or even expulsion for simply trying to check your MySpace messages.  Wait till you get home.

Finally parents blocking the Internet.   At least they are trying so some extent.  If you do have a reason to be on MySpace or another talk to them.  Give your reasons.  Parents often us blocking tools for two reasons to protect and to punish.  If they are unreasonable or you think it’s unfair this is life deal with it.

What many forget is that Internet access is NOT a right but rather a privilege and that means whoever pays for it controls it.   Just like if you have a bike I don’t have the right to ride it without your permission. Granted it may not be fair or just for most it’s just a way to deal with something that is unknown and potentially dangerous.  If you do have restrictions try discussing them with the gatekeepers.  You may have a compelling case that can be used to change the policies in place.  If not then at least you tried.