I was involved with the launch of Prodigy Internet. This has been an issue since way back then. I think there is a simple solution. Here it is...
1) Authority creates definitions for content
2) Browsers support access restrictions based on these
3) Content creators voluntarily tag their content
4b) Authority audits compliance
4b) Authority investigates complaints
5) User configure browser to only pass rated content
The web remains open for those who choose open but filtered for those who prefer to see only certain categories of content. Untagged pages would be blocked by browsers configured to restrict.
I think a lot of content providers would tag to increase their audience. The authority would blacklist sites that mistagged their content and could support their policing by charging for reaccreditation (removal from blacklist).
The tags could be similar to movie/music/video games or far more detailed -- GLBT, political, mormon, whatever -- but the choice would be at the user, participation/compliance at the content creator, and enforcement at the authority.
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