Do you ever feel that someone is constantly trying to control what you see, hear, and do? Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Nicholas Grippi and I am here to tell you that they are. Internet censorship is the control of information that can be viewed on the internet, and it may be carried out by the government, private organizations, and institutions. I argue that censorship restricts the right of the people to share opinions, it allows the government to control the population, and it creates a society of mindless idiots who are completely unaware about what is going on around the world. Direct censorship of the internet is a direct violation of our First Amendment rights, and here is why I believe that there needs to be limits to internet censorship in the United States. 

DECREASES PEOPLE’S AWARENESS OF WHAT IS GOING ON

Censorship has made people dumb and unaware about the events going on around them. If someone only gives you a portion of the total information, you are not able to make a well-informed decision. When reacting to the information you receive, the decision that you make is what is thought to be normal for you. This makes people desensitized and they will grow to accept their circumstance as the new normal. Think about this: if you only read and hear that students learn best by virtual education, you will be unaware that if students go to school to receive their education, they will have hands-on learning, they will talk to people who have other opinions, and they’ll be exposed to other things not obtained through virtual school. If there is a lack of awareness present in society, then it is easier to brainwash the people, as well as manipulate outcomes.

GOVERNMENT CONTROLS THE POPULATION

Another thing to consider; censorship gives authority to one agency or group of people. How does this group figure out what to restrict? Who oversees the activities of this group? Think back in history, as early as 60 years ago. We’ve learned about how Hitler was able to convince the German people that he could do no wrong; that he was immortal. He did this with the help of his propaganda minister, and he suppressed anyone that he felt was a threat to his agenda. Ruling governments use internet censorship to their advantage by blocking websites that pose a threat to their power. Internet censorship allows people who have power and money to control citizens and manipulate their opinions.

TAKING AWAY PEOPLE’S RIGHTS

Lastly and most importantly, censors seek to limit freedom of thought and expression by restricting spoken words, printed matter such as books and art, television programs, and internet sites. A study done by Yang and Chen from Stanford University has concluded that media censorship is a HALLMARK of authoritarian regimes. When the government engages in censorship, First Amendment freedoms are implicated. Various groups have carried out ridiculous attempts to BAN classic works of literature. Challenged books include To Kill A Mockingbird, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, and the Bible. That’s right. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the integral elements of democracy. It is important to understand that we learn from one another by talking. Therefore, eradicating our freedom of speech would be detrimental to ourselves, as well as OUR democratic society.

CONCLUSION

1.72 billion. That’s the number of people that are affected by internet censorship on any given day. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world today, the internet is going to be censored in one way or another. Although you alone cannot stop censorship, with a group of people, it can be greatly reduced. This is why I IMPLORE you to sign my petition if you are sick of seeing this EVERY TIME you go online.