While most BYU students are aware of blocked Web sites on campus, some wonder why certain controversial Web sites are prohibited.

"It's good that they block inappropriate contents, but I wonder why they block YouTube completely," said B.J. Homer, a junior from Riverton majoring in computer science.

Nyle Elison, product manager of the BYU Office of Information Technology, said YouTube is blocked completely because it allows inappropriate sexual media throughout its URLs, so it is impossible to group block or exempt certain videos.

According to the University proxymaster, there are more than 60,000 videos with inappropriate sexual media on YouTube.

Elison also answers the question on why YouTube is completely blocked while Google video is not.

"Google video allows us to block certain sections but YouTube does not," Elison said. "So it's an all or nothing situation."

Elison said Web sites are blocked because the contained content is contrary to University Honor Code standards.

BYU has a contract with a commercial entity for help in filtering Web content. Web sites are blocked when falling into any of four categories: nudity, pornography, sex and anonymity.

Sometimes a committee reviews the decision to block a questionable Web site, Elison said.

"At times when the decision to block a site is not cut and dried, a committee reviews information about the Web site and then makes a committee decision," Elison said.

The review committee is comprised of members representing the OIT and the Honor Code Office.

Decisions made by the committee go to senior management, which is one of the vice presidents, for review and final decision.

Sometimes students face the problem of pop-ups of inappropriate Web sites. Elison said he suggests all students practice personal computer "hygiene."

"Good computer hygiene means you should enable automatic updates, have anti-virus program, personal firewall, personal web filter and spyware utility," Elison said.

Norton AntiVirus is available to all BYU students. Elison encouraged all students to take advantage of it.

"Everybody should have a virus utility," Elison said.

BYU does not promote any specific Internet filters, but Elison said students could find this service at a cost or free online.

"A list of possibilities such as K-9, CYBERsitter or Net Nanny can be found by googling 'internet filtering'," Elison said.

Although some students question the reason why BYU blocks certain Web sites, other students such as Bryce McEwen sustain the decision of OIT and Honor Code Office.

"If BYU feels that's the right thing to do, then they should do it," McEwen said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 10 Oct 2007