Chapter 3
Multiple-choice Questions (with answers and references to the text)
1. The legal guidelines for determining whether material is obscene include all of the
following EXCEPT
(a) the material depicts particular sexual (or excretory) acts specified by state law
(b) the material is patently offensive according to contemporary community standards
(c) the material has no serious artistic, literary, social, political, or scientific value
(d) the material is intended for or distributed to persons under the age of 18
2. Which of the following requirements was a key provision of the Children’s Internet
Protection Act (CIPA)?
(a) proof of age must be provided to access Web sites containing pornography
(b) children must not be allowed to access “hate material” online
(c) filtering software must be installed on Internet terminals in schools and libraries
(d) commercial Web sites must require parental consent for access by children
3. Anonymizers allow a user to
(a) obtain a new identity
(b) send email and surf the Web anonymously
(c) secretly spy on people visiting your Web site
(d) randomly create a handle or avatar
4. Which of the following are the two main arguments against the Communications
Decency Act accepted by the courts?
(a) it was not enforceable, and it did not use the least restrictive means of accomplishing
the goal of protecting children
(b) it was too vague and broad, and it did not use the least restrictive means of
accomplishing the goal of protecting children
(c) it was too vague and broad, and it did not use community standards to determine
what would be harmful to minors
(d) it was not enforceable, and it did not use community standards to determine what
would be harmful to minors
5. Many countries have tried to censor the Internet. Which country issued the following
edict in 2001: The office of communications is ordered to find ways to ensure that the
use of the Internet becomes impossible.
(a) Iraq
(b) South Africa
(c) Afghanistan
(d) Brazil
6. Which of the following limits deceptive commercial email and outlines spammers’
responsibilities:
(a) the Spam Reduction Act
(b) the Electronic Communications Act
(c) the Commercial Communications Act
(d) the CAN-SPAM Act
7. Which of the following is NOT a provision of the CAN–SPAM Act that applies to
commercial emailers?
(a) It bans false or misleading header information.
(b) It requires that unsolicited email give recipients an opt-out method.
(c) It requires that commercial email be identified as an advertisement and include the
sender’s valid physical postal address.
(d) It requires commercial emailers register with the Federal Trade Commission.
True/False
______ Broadcast media traditionally has had the strongest First Amendment protection
(meaning the fewest regulatory restrictions) while print media has the weakest First Amendment
protection.
______ The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that requiring content filters on public library computers
was unconstitutional.
______ Miller v. California (1973) ruled that community standards could not play a role in
whether or not material was deemed obscene.
Short-answer Questions
1. List two arguments against and two arguments in favor of anonymity on the
Internet.
2. Describe two techniques to remain anonymous on the Internet.
3. What are three types of “speech” that are not protected by the First Amendment?
4. What are two things bulk emailers need to do in order to be in compliance with
the CAN-SPAM Act?
5. What is WikiLeaks? Explain how one might view its founder, Julian Assange, as
a traitor. Explain how one might view him as a hero.
Matching Questions
Essay Questions
1. a. Summarize the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) and the Children’s
Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
b. Discuss at least three differences between COPA and CIPA?
c. What impact would COPA have had on freedom of speech on the Internet?
Why was COPA overturned by the courts?
2. The oral arguments before the Supreme Court concerning the Communications
Decency Act (CDA) focused extensively on determining the most appropriate
analogy for cyberspace. Arguments were presented that compared the Internet
to a library, to television, and to a public place such as a street corner or park.
a. Why are these comparisons important? Briefly explain the differences
between libraries, television, and public places with respect to First
Amendment protection.
b. For each of these three analogies (library, television, and public place),
describe one significant way in which the Internet is similar and one
significant way in which it is different. Explain the relevance of each of
these similarities and differences to the issue of regulation of the Internet.
3. In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the ban on virtual child
pornography. Explain two arguments in support of striking the ban. Explain two
arguments against striking the ban.
4. Explain how Google’s experience in China relates to the issue of global
censorship.