It is Time for Regulation of The Internet！
The internet serves as one of the most convenient ways of communication because it advances with technology. Virtually every kind of information, good or bad, is accessible over the unrestricted internet. Since some of the data and information are highly-sensitive, they should be accorded maximum security and protection. Fortunately, tech and media companies and governments could employ appropriate strategies, including the use of specific policies to control the use of the internet.
Does the internet safe?
Unluckily, the internet has been offering unrestricted and unregulated transfer, retrieval, and use of almost all types of information by varied groups of audiences. Accordingly, various individuals including terrorists and politicians have been using the internet to spread disastrous propaganda and fake news, which could attract unwarranted consequences. Moreover, malicious individuals have been utilizing the internet to accomplish their evil acts that may include cyberbullying and other forms of cybercrimes. Unluckily, most of such perpetrators escape unspotted or unpunished for their criminal acts. Likewise, presence of unfiltered information on the internet could expose children and other unsuspecting individuals to harmful data. Private information should also be protected to avoid unauthorized access and misuse, as evidenced by the instance where Cambridge Analytica exploited Facebook and collected critical details on their (Facebook) users (Cadwalladr, & Graham-Harrison, 2018). Therefore, it is high time that the internet should be regulated to ensure that only acceptable information is made available to the general public to avoid further instances of adverse consequences emanating from uncontrolled exchange of data.
However, it could have been better for the internet to remain unregulated to facilitate the continued transfer of all types of information to satisfy the diversified needs and demands of their users and audiences. Some information that could be treated as unsuitable for one person may be highly suitable for the other. Moreover, some individuals could like to engage in secrete communications that should not be accessed by third parties (Singh, 2017). Since the practice of regulating the internet means that all types of information would be critically analyzed and evaluated before they are allowed or denied transmission permission, the otherwise secret communications would not exist. Similarly, spread of particular data could be restricted when regulators may fail to acquire the intended message of such information due to the rationality of humans. Hence, regulating the internet could hinder vital communications. Even so, firms and individuals could seek the necessary permissions to relay specific information where appropriate. Authenticity and ownership of every report is essential in the struggle to avoid harmful information on the internet.
The conclusion…
It is high time that the internet should be regulated to avoid unwanted incidents like hacking, terrorism, and harmful propaganda. Besides, any perpetrator would be identified, charged and jailed to promote development of a peaceful and socially stable global community. Although regulation of the internet may attract unwanted impacts like access and evaluation of all forms of information including the otherwise secret ones, the overall benefits are numerous. Therefore, the internet should be regulated to encourage responsibility and accountability amongst all internet users.
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