Prince William schools fix their LGBT-blocking Internet

By: Lisa Gartner 05/26/11 7:26 PM
Examiner Staff Writer @Lisa_Examiner

Everyone from Justin Bieber to President Obama has filmed a spot for the "It Gets Better" project, which inspires LGBT teenagers — and other kids who may be having a tough time in school — to power through toward better days.

In Prince William County Public Schools, these videos were blocked. A broad Internet filter for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender content prevented students from accessing even educational websites, causing the American Civil Liberties Union to give PWCPS a public slap on the wrist.

On Thursday, school officials announced the filter was kaput. According to a release from spokesman Ken Blackstone, "The review process determined that this filter can be removed without compromising the mandatory state and federal legal obligations to block objectionable content because this category is information-based."

Your kids are now free to move about the Internet. And listen to Bieber.