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Guide 2. What is the Internet?

How did the Internet start? (screen 2 of 6)

The US Department of Defense started the Internet

In 1969, the US Department of Defense wanted a communication system that could not be destroyed in the event of an emergency. They linked computers over telephone lines so that if one computer failed to work, the others could still communicate with each other.

More uses for the Internet, and the development of standards

As the system developed, people found other uses for this system, such as sending messages and files between computers. During the 1970s, standards developed in the message formats. And by the close of the 1970s computer networks had become international.

1989 - First network links to Internet from Australia

The first network in Australia to link to the Internet (in 1989) was AARNet(1), developed by the university system for the use of academics. Soon others connected to this network and in 1995 Telstra bought AARNet and opened the gateway to other private and commercial opportunities.

No-one owns the Internet now

These days the US Department of Defense neither runs nor owns the Internet. No-one does. 

The Internet has grown to such an extent, and there are so many users connected to it from most countries, that it has a life of its own. Even if a major network decided to withdraw from the Internet, this would not stop it from operating. 

Is the Internet free from censorship and control?

Although many people argue that on the Net anything goes, that it's an anarchic, uncontrolled environment, things are changing. It's a new environment and laws and government are only just beginning to grapple with what the Internet - and its content - means. Governments in particular try to regulate content which moves across the Net and in some places limit access to the Internet to specific individuals. For example:

• Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Bill 1999
  The Broadcasting Services Act (1992) regulates the online environment in Australia. The Amendment (Online Services) Bill introduced in 1999 became Schedule 5 of the 1992 Act. The Bill created much debate on government intervention into online content and service delivery. The bill, now schedule 5, establishes a national scheme for the regulation of prohibited content on the internet. Visit these resources to find out more.

  Information about Online Content Regulation from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy(2)
  Bills Digest No. 179 1998-99(3)
  Read a variety of views about the Bill(4)
  Oz NetLaw for the latest on State based content regulation(5)

• Stopline(6) is the Austrian government's website set up as a platform for users that stumble over illegal material in the Internet by coincidence. The matters dealt with are solely child-pornography and neo-Nazi content.
  
  
• INHOPE(7) is an Association that exists to facilitate co-operation between European Internet Hotline providers.It's mission is to eliminate child pornography from the Internet and protect young people from harmful and illegal uses of the Internet. The USA and Australia are Associate members.
  
  
• The Singaporian Media Development Authority(8) has developed an Internet regulatory framework to promote and facilitate the growth of the Internet while at the same time safeguarding social values and racial and religious harmony.

For more information on the Australian situation, visit the National Office for the Information Economy(9) website.

Software packages such as Net Nanny(10) can restrict what appears on your computer if you feel you need to censor access to certain sites. In Australia, the New South Wales Department of School Education (DSE) is using Cyber Patrol(11) Internet filtering software for its statewide Internet network.

Some filtering software over-generalises - for example screening out sites using the word 'breast' meaning that people can't find information about breast cancer.

References

1. AARNet: Australian Academic Research Network http://www.aarnet.edu.au/
2. Information about Online Content Regulation from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
   http://www.dbcde.gov.au/internet/online_content_regulation
3. Bills Digest No. 179 1998-99
   http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bd/1998-99/99bd179.htm
4. Electronic Frontiers Australia http://www.efa.org.au/Campaigns/99.html
5. OZ Net Law http://www.oznetlaw.net/facts.asp?action=content&categoryid=231
6. Stopline - Austria http://www.stopline.at/index.php?id=244&L=9
7. INHOPE http://inhope.org/en/about/about.html
8. Singaporian Media Development Authority http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.www/devnpolicies.aspx?sid=161
9. National Office for the Information Economy http://www.noie.gov.au/
10. Net Nanny http://www.netnanny.com/
11. Cyber Patrol Official Site http://www.cyberpatrol.com/