Internet filters in schools

Taking a break from my steady updates concerning the NYLA Conference last week to discuss internet filters in schools...
This week in IST 611, we are discussing internet safety. It's a topic I am fairly passionate about. I understand the need to have filters in the school systems to prevent accessing inappropriate sites but I feel the teachers should have a say in what's deemed appropriate and unappropriate. Without the teachers' input, I believe we are hindering our students ability to learn how to navigate the web safely and also denying students the right to develop 21st century learning skills by using educational Web2.0 websites such as blogging sites, Twitter, facebook, and EdModo.
I've heard plenty of cases where these sites are blocked by the school district with little to no leeway in unblocking the sites despite teacher input. I know a local high school librarian in my area wanted to use EdModo as an alternative to facebook to create a learning environment with her students back in September; though I am not sure if she was able to unblock the site. I am currently working on a collaborative technology project for class where my group is creating video tutorials to share with a local high school library to aid students in navigating different parts of the website such as how to use databases and the catalog online. However, we have hit a road-bump in finding a filter-approved site to post our videos on for our collaborating librarian. I understand we want to protect students from the "bad stuff" out there but we can easily do that by teaching students internet safety and monitoring their internet use.
After that long rant, I want to get to one of the proposed topics of discussion this week: Should filters be the final authority? Who should be responsible for the safety of children online? What measures can we take to protect them beyond filters?
I don't think filters should be the final authority. I understand blocking the obvious sites like pornography or online gambling sites. However, when it comes to other websites....Who is to deem whether or not a certain website is appropriate? What criteria are we basing these decisions on? We can't keep our students safe online if all we do is shelter them from the realities of the internet. It becomes our job as educators to educate students about internet safety and alert them to the dangers and consequences of being unsafe on the internet. We, the teachers, are responsible for keeping our students and ourselves safe online. We should be teaching lessons about safety online including safety when using social networking platforms. Many social networking sites are blocked by filters but can be used for educational activities. Does the teacher really need to argue for this right for students to learn and express themselves in a public venue for educational purposes? In most cases, yes; because our internet filtering is TOO restrictive. I call for a reevaluation of filters with teacher input. We can easily protect our students beyond filters by teaching them online safety and monitoring their computer use.