The internet is one of the very best technological advancements in history. It allows all individuals to get instant access to all types of information. There are no limits to what the internet can offer, but internet censorship is one important topic that many internet users are not as up-to-date on as they should be. If you do not want the information that you can access online to be censored, it is important that you know your rights and are updated on all internet censorship laws. You might not realize it, but not all information online is easily accessible to internet users in all parts of the world. Where you live can limit the websites that you can access to some extent.



What Are the Pros of Internet Censorship

1. Regulation is Necessary
Many advocates of internet censorship feel that it allows for regulation of mass media that is essential to authority. Some feel that no regulation could have very detrimental effects of society at various levels. Keeping the exploitation of children to a minimal and lessening the spread of drug cartels are just two of the benefits that can be gained by society as whole through some type of internet regulation. Internet censorship is seen as a form of control, but those that are for internet censorship feel that control in this form is needed. All other forms of mass media including television and radio have specific regulations and administrative controls in place, which means that the internet should be no different. Regulations can lead to more order, which is what internet censorship is looking to ultimately accomplish.

2. Tracing Criminal Activity Online is Impossible Without Censorship
Relying on simply tracing criminal activity online as the means to stop it is not reasonable. The internet can be a place of crime, but tracing IP addresses and halting criminal activity is not possible without the censoring of some information and sites altogether. Internet censorship makes it easier to stop online criminal activity and ensure that this type of crime does not take place. The fact that crime does exist online is seen as validation by many for online censorship to be in existence.


What Are the Cons of Internet Censorship

1. Violation of Internet Privacy
Many of those opposed to internet censorship see it as a violation of internet privacy and feel that it violates essential rights. No matter how you look at it, internet censorship regulates what you can access online and changes the way that you can access this type of mass media. Having regulations in place can only lead to government control, which can infringe on basic human rights.

2. Legal Rights
It is also possible for some website owners of sites that are censored to sue governments that keep their online information from being accessible. This is not done often, but it is an option that some site owners do have if their content is being regulated. This shows that regulations are unlawful and unnecessary.

What is Internet Censorship?

It is important to have a full understanding of what internet censorship is before you can choose either side of the argument. Internet censorship is not quite as complex as you might first assume. It involves limiting the information that can be accessed online to some degree for a variety of different reasons. Making any type of information or website not accessible to online users is a form of censorship. This is due to the fact that censorship simply involves the suppression of publishing or accessing content on the internet. This mean that the content or subject matter that is censored could be done at either time of publishing or site controls designed to inhibit accessing in some form.
Having administrative control over the information that can be accessed online is not seen as ideal by many, but it is seen as necessary by others. When it comes to internet censorship, the administrative body of a government basically has the power to block the reception of certain sites and specific information. The countries that seem to have the most strict internet censorship laws in place include China, Burma, North Korea, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.
These are not the only countries where internet censorship is prevalent, but these are the countries where it is most prominent. These countries have internet censorship that is deemed as so oppressive by some that they have been labeled as “enemies of the internet.” This names was given to these countries by a Paris government organization that fights for the end of internet censorship and sees all forms of censorship as unlawful. Advocating freedom of the press is what this Paris government organization strives to accomplish and they see internet censorship as its largest hurdle to overcome.

Does Internet Censorship Have a Place in Society?

Internet censorship is seen as a regulatory necessity that protects against larger issues by those that advocate for it, but those that oppose internet censorship feel that this authoritative control over online information imposes on basic rights and infringes on freedom of the press. Coming to common ground on the topic of internet censorship is not easy at all. Both sides of this argument seem to be fir min their beliefs. The only way to come to your own unbiased opinion on the topic is to learn about the pros and cons of internet censorship. This will allow you to clearly see the advantages and disadvantages from a better perspective. Internet censorship is not an issue that is going away any time soon and you need to determine where you stand. There are both pros and cons associated with internet censorship that you need to finally learn about in some detail. Forming your own opinion on the issue is simplified when you know the various sides to either argument.


Final Verdict on Issue of Internet Censorship


The topic of internet censorship is one that can elicit very strong opinions on both sides of the argument. Keeping some content from being published or accessed online can have an impact on how the internet is used. There are both pros and cons of internet censorship that need to be carefully considered, but it is also important to weigh them against one another. Internet censorship might not be all bad, but having this type of regulation in place could lead to stricter regulations in the future. Right now internet censorship is only prevalent in a few select countries, but it might become more widespread. It is important to begin learning about this issue now before it becomes more relevant.