FILTERING METHODS

N2H2^SM offers advanced filtering solutions that afford educators, parents and librarians reliable protection against objectionable Internet material. Identifying and examining the thousands of new sites that come online every day is a top priority at N2H2 and an area in which N2H2 distinguishes itself from its competitors.

We use a variety of techniques to manage our industry-leading site database. To find sites to review, N2H2 uses a sophisticated research process to continuously comb the Internet. This process identifies thousands of suspect sites every day, helping N2H2 find new sites to block and discover changes to existing ones.

Another mechanism we use is feedback from our customers. Our filtering services feature a "Request Page Review" link that allows customers to request that a site be blocked or unblocked. Each request is reviewed and a reply is sent within days. This feedback helps N2H2 refine its list, involve our customers in the filtering process and help organizations customize their own block list.

FILTERING PHILOSOPHY

This philosophy reflects N2H2's criteria in identifying objectionable Internet material. The general categories of "blockable" Web sites are listed below.

• Nudity: The absense of clothing or exposing any and all parts of the human genitalia.  Exceptions: "Classical" nudity (Michaelangelo), swimsuit models.

• Adult Content: Any material that has been publicly labeled as being strictly for adults.

• Sex: Description or depiction of sexual acts and any erotic material.

• Violence: Graphic depiction of violent acts including murder, rape, torture and/or serious injury.

• Drug Use: Usage or encouraging usage of any recreational drugs, including tobacco and alcohol advertising. Exceptions: material with valid educational use (e.g. drug abuse statistics).

• Bad Language: Crude or vulgar language or gestures.

• Discrimination: Denigration of others' race, religion, gender, nationality and/or sexual orientation.

• Crime: Encouragement of, tools for, or advice on carrying out universally criminal acts. This includes lock-picking, bomb-making and hacking information.

• Tastelessness: Excretory functions, tasteless humor, graphic medical photos outside of medical context and some extreme forms of body modification (cutting, branding, genital piercing).

• Chat Sites: On-line chatting (might appear under the High Risk category as well).

• High Risk: Sites with lack of editorial control which then may fall into one of the other blockable categories.

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