Various attempts are made to pass laws restricting freedom of speech on the Internet, but without success. Protecting children from any adverse effects of freedom of speech and educating them is left to parents and teachers. To make this easier, various classification and monitoring programs are developed, so that parents can restrict their children's use of the Net. In some countries, the existing censorship mechanisms also apply to the Internet. In Finland, the same laws apply as to other media, i.e. there is no advance censorship.

SUN releases its JavaStation network computer, which runs Java programs straight from the network. The aim is to produce an intelligent Internet terminal that does not require local software maintenance. Enthusiasts for network computers include, for example, the makers of major terminal-operated database environments such as IBM and Oracle, since they could replace millions of ageing mainframe terminals in situations where there is no need for an expensively maintained and complicated microcomputer. There are also plans to use network computers to create an simple Internet user interface for domestic televisions and other appliances.