Canton, NC Ordinance Banning Pornography on Town-Owned Devices & Networks

Canton -- December 19, 2024: The Canton Board of Aldermen has unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting

the use of town-owned computers, digital devices, and networks to access or display pornographic material. The decision, reached during a public meeting last Thursday, marks a significant step in the town's efforts to maintain professional standards and ethical use of municipal resources.

Details of the Ordinance

The newly enacted policy explicitly bans all forms of pornography from being accessed or displayed on equipment and networks owned or operated by the town. This includes:

Town Computers and Laptops: Any device issued to town employees or officials for work purposes.
Digital Networks: Internet connections provided by the town, including those used in government offices and public spaces.
Mobile Devices: Smartphones and tablets under town ownership.
Purpose of the Ordinance
Town officials emphasized the importance of protecting public resources from misuse. The ordinance is designed to:

Promote a professional and respectful workplace for town employees.
Ensure efficient and appropriate use of taxpayer-funded technology.
Align with the moral and ethical standards expected in government institutions.
Implementation and Enforcement
To ensure compliance with the new rules, Canton’s IT department will implement content filters across all devices and networks owned by the town. These filters will block access to pornographic websites and materials. Additionally, employees and officials found in violation of the ordinance may face disciplinary actions, including termination in severe cases.

Community and State Context
This local ordinance reflects a growing trend in North Carolina to regulate access to explicit content, particularly on publicly funded networks. The move follows the statewide implementation of the Pornography Age Verification Enforcement (PAVE) Act, which mandates stringent age verification measures for accessing adult content.

Other towns and municipalities across the state have taken similar actions to restrict inappropriate use of government resources. Canton’s proactive stance places it at the forefront of this initiative, reinforcing its commitment to accountability and ethical governance.

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