Australian Schools Ban YouTube
Thursday, March 1, 2007
The State of Victoria in Australia will block students from viewing YouTube on school computers, according to Australian news accounts published Thursday (March 1, 2007).
The censorship is aimed to reduce so-called cyber-bullying. The ban
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follows an attack on a teenage girl in Werribee, which was videotaped and posted on YouTube, according to an Australian Associated Press account. Twelve youths attacked the 17-year-old girl, according to the Herald Sun newspaper of Australia. Victoria State Education Services Minister Jacinta Allan announced the YouTube ban Thursday (March 1, 2007).
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Jacinta Allan, education minister in Victoria, Australia |
“We do not tolerate bullying on any level – be it physical, verbal or cyber bullying,” the AAP quoted Allan as saying.
The teachers' union in Australia labeled the YouTube ban as ineffective censorship.
“That sort of censorship will play a minor part,” Australian Education Union Victorian Branch secretary Mary Bluett said. “The best thing to do is modify children’s behavior by them understanding the consequences of the impact of bullying.”
