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Should there be age restrictions to internet access?
The internet may have made communication and flow of information much easier, but there is a cost when too much informartion flows into the wrong hands. The internet has successfully corupted many minds in a still young generation. Not only is any kind of smut within reach of a couple of keystrokes, but now hateful rhetoric can be viewed and shared anonymously without consequence. The internet has brought vast amounts of knowlegde to the digital age, but not everything on there is ready to be absorbed by young malleable minds. I believe there should be age limitations to the internet. There should be a software that parents can use that adjusts to when their child surfs the web. Much like what many schools across America use except for an in home experience. This software would block any site not deemed age appropriate and would monitor the child's use of digital media sites.
My proposal follows the utilitarian approach very well; in that maximizes the good done and limits the harm. Not only does this limit the youth's internet access to sites with smut, but also hateful, bigoted sites that could instill horrible philosophies that we have seen play out recently in America.
The good done vastly outweighs the harm done therefore my proposal follows the utilitarian approach. Having a generation grow up with limited to no access to pornography, hateful rhetoric, racism, online bullying and much worse is a good thing for all parties involved.
Daine, K, K Hawton, V Singaravelu, A Stewart, S Simkin, and P Montgomery. "The Power of the Web: a Systematic Review of Studies of the Influence of the Internet on Self-Harm and Suicide in Young People." Plos One. 8.10 (2013). Print.
One could argue limiting one's access to the internet is against the freedom of the web, but since we are regarding people who are under 18 and under their guardian's protection I don't see that argument having validity.
My proposal gives adult humans a choice. They have the option to morally protect their loved ones from the dangers of the internet. I'm not suggesting this software be mandated, but rather be an option for those who want it. Albeit the children don't get a choice, but in reality they don't deserve a choice in this regard until they are 18.
Opposing Viewpoint
Opposing Viewpoint
The opposing side could argue that children should be including in the qualification of all humans should have a choice. I have to disagree in this regard, because I believe that children don't have the required moral compass to make a decision of this magnitude.
Livingstone, Sonia, and Ellen Helsper. "Balancing Opportunities and Risks in Teenagers' Use of the Internet: the Role of Online Skills and Internet Self-Efficacy." New Media & Society. 12.2 (2010): 309-329. Print.
It is fair to allow parents or guardians to legislate the content their children view while on the internet. Being their guardian they ought to have final say in what the child consumes in all aspects of life.
Children could argue that it isn't fair to have their access to content taken out of their hands, but when that decision is put in the hands of their guardian, it is fair.
Tokunaga, Robert S, and Stephen A. Rains. "An Evaluation of Two Characterizations of the Relationships between Problematic Internet Use, Time Spent Using the Internet, and Psychosocial Problems." Human Communication Research. 36.4 (2010): 512-545. Print.
My proposal follows the common good approach. A more morally conscious, educated and less poluted generation is best for all. Having a generation not being morally tainted by the unlimited horrors on an unregulated internet; will build all of us a much brighter future to live in.
One could argue a child who grew up on a regulated internet may be more tempted to go to the dark corners of the web once age appropriate. I believe that may be in some way true, but far less harmful than the child viewing it while the brain was in a key developmental phase.
Manning, Jill C. "The Impact of Internet Pornography on Marriage and the Family: a Review of the Research." Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: the Journal of Treatment and Prevention. 13.2 (2006): 131-165. Print.
The regulation of the internet for young minds that are still developing protects many virtuous aspects that could be tainted by pornography, hate sites, racist sites, bigoted sites, homophobic sites and many others.
Staksrud, Elisabeth, Kjartan Ólafsson, and Sonia Livingstone. "Does the Use of Social Networking Sites Increase Children’s Risk of Harm?" Computers in Human Behavior. 29.1 (2013): 40-50. Print.