With the advancement in information technology and increased globalization, the use of the internet has been faced with a number of challenges. One divisive discourse arising as a consequence informs the subject of this paper. That is, which has ethical import? Is there free speech or content control on the internet? This submission supports content control on the internet and would be seeking to lay out the reasons for such a position.
Foremost, it should be appreciated that the internet is accessible to all and sundry. From the priests in the Vatican to the soldiers in the DRC Congo, from the military bases at the Pentagon to the terrorists’ factions in Somalia, the internet remains accessible to all. In that strain, it is rather obviously necessary for internet content to be controlled. This is for the dual purpose of ensuring privacy as well as providing security to the internet consumers. Perhaps one wonders how this is possible. It is should be appreciated that unregulated content has the character of providing even the most primary information details of users. For example, there have been cases where terrorists used the information on the internet to gain knowledge of potential attack points. In addition, the same terrorists use the internet to communicate information concerning their heinous acts and, in similar fashions, to conduct recruitment drives. If the free speech goes uncontrolled, it probably compromises the overall security of states. It has, therefore, been necessary for stakeholders to ensure accessibility to some information is controlled especially in some areas.
On the other hand, one may look at the concept of free speech from the perspective of children’s needs. Irresponsible internet users have gone on the rampage posting all manner of obscenities and pornographic content. In addition, cyber bullies have used the platforms to get hold of younger children whom they take advantage of on the internet. The two mentioned vices need to be contained. One way to contain pornography for instance is to have regulations. While the idea of free speech is beautiful and impressive, it easily turns ugly and depressing to parents when internet users exploit the same to harm their children. It is in the best interest of the child that such obscenities and bullying should be contained in the manner of content control. In equal measure, internet filters should be installed in computers accessed by minors. This would serve as a stopgap measure for the runaway free speech misuse in the internet.
Lastly, this paper appreciates the need for information. In fact, in the twenty first century information is critical for the overall prosperity of an economy. In that vein, it is essential to promote information spread. However, the information availed must not be to the detriment of consumers. In that breadth, this paper supports content control in as far as the information being circulated would be to the overall societal detriment. Such information include hate speech, incitement, abusive language, pornographic content, copy right infringement, and illegally accessed data as a consequence of hacking. In that vein, it is imperative that responsible stakeholders setup rules of engagement on the use of the internet. As mentioned previously, free speech is a democratic model that can be easily misused. Content control per se does not solve the issue but constructive control would be to the advantage of all genuine parties.
References
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Shaw, W. H. (2010). Business Ethics: A Textbook With Cases. New York: Cengage Learning.
Weckert, J. (2009). Computer ethics: Future directions. Ethics and Information Technology, 93-96.
