"Although the public has an overwhelmingly favourable view of the [internet], about half of the public also views the internet as a "source of worry" due to an array of concerns - ranging from on-line pornography and violence, to privacy violations, to unresponsive providers and lack of trustworthiness of on-line information…"
The general US approach towards controlling on-line activities has focused on industry self-regulation, but this study suggests that the public remains concerned that their interests are not adequately protected by existing measures.
It continues by saying that the public:
"… want[s] to go beyond such black and white choices as 'government regulation' or 'industry self-regulation' to fashion approaches that involve government, industry, technical experts, non-profit organizations and the public itself."
The research was primarily intended to ascertain the public perception of the internet and the degree of confidence placed in existing regulatory methods. The results indicate a high level of enthusiasm for growing internet use with 83% of people surveyed seeing it as a positive development.
This was overshadowed by the finding that 54% of those surveyed felt they enjoyed fewer legal protections on-line than off-line and 70% taking the view that materials on the internet should be approached with a degree of scepticism. The research clearly indicates the public desire to see a more definite approach towards internet regulation.