Green Dam - a problem in the making

It seems to me that technology to censor things, might, be a good idea. Depending on how it's done, for example there is no need to expose children to grotesque violence or movies which disturb the psyche. At least not unsupervised. We're also talking about children. They need to learn and to learn they need to be exposed. Thus the big question becomes why is censorship needed in the first place?
Schools can claim to have a reason to censor. Keeping the child on track with the curriculum and also for the potential safely of the equipment. Public institutions have every right to do that. Not only are they trying to keep their own equipment from potential harm but then they are are also ensuring that that same equipment is available for the next user. The drawbacks though come into play if the software is too ambitious and blocks sites needed by the users. There is always a fine line to balance with such a thing.
That situation is in schools or within the realm of the public where an individual does not own the computer in question. Based on what I have read thus far China is close to mandating the use of a censorship system known as Green Dam. How it is to be mandated and for what I do not know but the fact that a government has already gone this far and given it's initial approval to such a thing makes me uneasy. My feelings were further strengthened when I stumbled upon this site, just a few links down when I typed Green Dam into Google.

http://www.cse.umich.edu/~jhalderm/pub/gd/

A basic summery

• The inner workings of the software are easily accessible
• The software used is outdated
• It censors based on the amount of human skin tone seen on the screen
• Certain phrases or politically sensitive materials causes the program to trigger
• Most important it allows the possibility of hacking into the users computer and for malicious code to be entered into the censorship software itself

If I might say I am completely unimpressed with Green Dam.

Back to my first question, why is censorship needed? My personal opinion is that it is not. The restriction of the flow of ideas, both good and bad, hinders and limits all of us. Who is the one that decides what is a "good" site or not? What criteria are used? Are we to go back to the age of the inquisition and burn anything that goes against the mainstream? Most people claim that pornography and sites of that nature are not suitable for children. Physically that might be so, children may not be mature enough to appreciate what is displayed. However, do people forget that, for most humans at least, what is forbidden tastes the sweetest? If one wishes for an example the book of Genesis holds the story of Adam, Eve and the serpent.
The best censor is not some program but instead you, yourself, your own person. There is nothing wrong with the sight of a person's body save that society instilled a concept known as modesty. A perfectly useless thing if there ever was one, it does nothing to advance the culture in anyway shape or form. Not only that but some people seem to have a phobia of discussing reproduction. One of the most basic functions we have as a species and certainly not one to be embarrassed about.
My theory is this

• instead of censoring instead explain to a child what it is that they are looking at
• don't try to make it understandable to be, explain it naturally
• if they want more clarification give it even if it means going back all the one to square one
• a valid answer to a question you don't know is "I don't know"
• in that case sit down with them and look it up

Hence my last gripe with censorship software. It takes the job of parents and mentors and instead tries to shove it off onto some inconsequential bits of data. Who would you like to be raised by, bits of data or bits of flesh?