Currently, companies vying for parents and children's limited time and dollars are finding ways to ingratiate themselves into the home environment. Relying on the enthusiasm parents have for computers in general, the edutainment segment of electronic media is flourishing. Some businesses are pushing children toward Web sites specifically designed for them or "gated play spaces" that try to guarantee that children will be exposed only to high quality content developed by reputable organizations and businesses. These content providers have managed to distance themselves from the fear-evoking reports of what is "harmful to minors," and instead have tried to encourage parents and teachers to embrace all of the worthwhile activities and experiences that the Internet has to offer young people. While other companies, on the other hand, are developing filtering and blocking programs to shield children from "inappropriate" content.

* What products and services will we see in the future?

* How will companies comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, seeing to it that they don't invade children's privacy by collecting personally identifiable information from children under 13 without parental consent?

* What responsibility, if any, do companies have to serving the needs of children and families?

• Re: The Roles and Responsibilities of Companies mikebro@erols.com, April 04, 2000 (0)