Why did you choose to say “A filter is absolutely essential”, and not “Proper education of how to use it responsibly is absolutely essential”?
Because that’s already assumed – not specifically a course in filter or computer or internet use, but a proper Torah chinuch which informs us how to navigate all nisyonos in life, not just the web.
But are there people who are now trying to get properly educated in how to use the internet responsibly? I would hope so. I would hope there are at least as many people doing that as there are who are now getting filters.
By far the most important step to use the internet properly is to get a proper filter.