The fact that the Internet is also used for activities inappropriate for kids, such as the exchange of pornography. It is a statistically minor issue, and technical improvements will help, but ultimately the responsibility for control rests with parents and teachers. The principal risk is that the issue will receive undue attention in the press and stimulate technophobic politicians to impose draconian restrictions on Internet access.
Predictor: Barker, Ben
Prediction, in context:The 1995 book “The Information Revolution,” edited by Donald Altschiller, carries a reprint of a 1994 Computerworld article ÒThe History of the Future,Ó by senior editor Gary H. Anthes. Anthes interviewed more than a dozen pioneers of ARPAnet, forerunner to todayÕs Internet, including Ben Barker, the senior vice president and chief technology officer at Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN). In 1969, he designed the hardware interfaces for ARPAnet. Anthes quotes Barker saying: ÒThe fact that the Internet is also used for activities inappropriate for kids, such as the exchange of pornography. It is a statistically minor issue, and technical improvements will help, but ultimately the responsibility for control rests with parents and teachers. The principal risk is that the issue will receive undue attention in the press and stimulate technophobic politicians to impose draconian restrictions on Internet access.Ó
Date of prediction: January 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Pornography
Name of publication: The Information Revolution (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: The History of the Future
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 44
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne