Qwest Communications will now block customer access to known child pornography Web sites through a voluntary agreement with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

"Our agreement with the national center really helps us advocate for children and online safety," said Qwest spokeswoman Johnna Hoff.

The national center works with law enforcement to identify and list Web sites containing child pornography. Qwest will use that list to block customer access to those sites.

Hoff said Qwest has already created several other programs that address Internet safety for its customers. The agreement with the national center is a continuation of that process, she said.

"This is our way of working with the national center to protect customers and help combat online child exploitation," Hoff said.

Other area Internet service providers offer security measures for customers, though they don't specifically block child pornography cites.

Bresnan's vice president of public affairs said the company is cautious about channel blocking due to concerns about First Amendment rights of customers, technological issues and proper identification of sites.

Shawn Beqaj said the company offers Bresnan Safety Net, a comprehensive child safety program.

The program offers free Internet blocking software to parents, offered free digital identification of children and offers resources, tools and information to its customers.

"Internet safety, and particularly Internet safety with children, is the paramount concern that we have," Beqaj said. "From a perspective of an Internet service provider, it is our primary concern. The Internet itself is a phenomenal tool, but with it comes responsibility."

Beqaj said Bresnan also recently worked with the national center to provide all its employees with a wireless Amber Alert system.

"That's a really specific way where we can become part of the solution here," Beqaj said.

Like Bresnan, wyoming.com is respectful of a customer's First Amendment rights, said Chris Robisch, the director of interconnection and public policy for the site and Contact Communications.

Customers of wyoming.com sign acceptable use agreements at the beginning of their service, Robisch said. If the agreement is violated, the company can terminate Internet services.

The company also adheres to all federal regulations and complies with federal investigations into customers suspected of visiting inappropriate sites.

"Our position has been and continues to be the First Amendment is important, and we acknowledge that," Robisch said. "At this time, we do not block any content. However, that doesn't say that we allow it."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com