m and prurience (Marshall). Its very close to the CDA but it does not conflict with the freedom of speech amendment. PICS is basically a set of ratings that can be used for a different set of rating systems to filter the internet. Since it is only a format and not actually a rating system it will only work if the sites are rated by the publisher themselves or by a 3rd party. Rating bureaus are a good example of 3rd party raters, they rate sites then people subscribe to them if the bureau fits them. Like a Christian rating bureau would appeal to a Christian family. Some people believe that PICS is a lot like the V-chip. Its true they are similar but their differences are very notable. The V-chip is a chip that is put in all TVs larger than 13 by the FCC that blocks the display of television programming based upon its rating. There are many links in the information food chain separating your personal computer from the source of information. And what you see on the Internet can potentially be filtered at any of those points so you in fact are not in total control of what comes to your screen, unlike the V-chip. You can block material at your computer, but so can libraries, your employer, your internet service provider, your university, or even - depending on where you live - your nation-state. With the V-chip you control what comes on your television set. But with PICS the choice may not be yours (Marshall). There is also one more problem with PICS, when internet is filtered you dont know what you are not seeing. The companies that would provide the blocking services would have to hide their list of what they are blocking or else they would lose their edge. They wouldnt have a service to provide. So lets say a public library is using a certain business to filter they have no idea what they are actually blocking. PICS seems to be good solution since it doesnt compromise the freedom of expression and it filters out unwanted material, but ove...
