Utah To 'Filter' Access to Computer Networks

By Peter West

Educators in Utah want every school to have access to the Internet and the educational possibilities it offers. But they don't want their students exploring the seamier side of the global computer network.

To help screen out pornographic and other materials on a statewide computer network being built for schools, Utah education officials said last month they plan to in~stall special "filters." The plan may be the first state-level policy to limit student access to the Internet.

The Utah Education Network is evaluating filtering software from several companies to decide which will best keep objectionable materials out of student's hands, said George Brown, the network's assistant director...