For months, we've listened to words of fear and anxiety about children using the internet's world wide web. Congress even passed legislation in an effort to punish people who make indecent material accessible to kids on-line. Now, there's another approach- a new hi-tech solution that puts power in the hands of parents. Cyber7 Reporter Mike Lawrence tonight gives us an advance looks at something you'll be hearing a lot about in 2 weeks.

It holds the promise of protecting children... While also protecting freedom of speech for people who design websites.

Stephen Balkam, Executive Director/RSAC: "This will be the page webmasters come to when they come to rate their own site"

The massachusetts-based recreational software advisory council, or RSAC, is about to start rating internet sites.

"A new homepage beginning April 16, site designers around the world can call into this Cambridge computer, which will generate a rating once detailed questions are answered about nudity, sex, language and violence.

RSAC has successfully used similiar questions to rate hundreds of computer games since 1994. Now it will be automated for thousands of websites.

Balkam: "it is based on many years research on effects of media on children".

As of April 16, software like Microsofts Internet Explorer, and Massachusetts based CyberPatrol will recognize the RSAC ratings. Parents will be able to set the software differently for each child, tailoring the level of violence, language, nudity, or sex they are willing to allow.

..sound of modem..

When the child accesses the internet, sites outside the pre-set ratings will be blocked. unrated sites can be blocked too. The computer does it automatically, thanks to a system developed by an MIT group headed by Tim Berners-Lee, the man who actually invented the world wide web.

Berners-Lee: "In my view it provides an intelligent and sensible way in which we can all behave reasonably, and parents can exercise their choice, without the need for government censorship."

RSAC is among the first of what may soon become a variety of internet ratings systems parents can choose from.

Steve Bennett:/family computing expert: "I think it should give you peace of mind in knowing your job is a little bit easier. Someone out there is on your side!

But family computing expert Steve Bennet says it's important that kids know their parents values... Not just the values a rating system represents.

Bennett: "It doesnt mean that your respin to be involved with your childs computing, to learn the layout of cyberpsace, to go see for yourself, it dsoesn't mean that goes away"

Mike Lawrence on camera: "If you'd like more information about this new system for rating internet world wide web sites, send me an e-mail. the address: cyber7@whdh.com. I'm Mike Lawrence, 7 News"