Restrictions on Internet Content: Impact on Freedom of Speech

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INFORMATION ETHICS AND MANAGEMENT
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IN THE INTERESTS OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH, THERE SHOULD BE NO
RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT CAN BE POSTED ON THE INTERNET
Introduction
The media has transformed to be one of the most powerful tools, which has significant influence,
especially on public opinion. The effects of the media, on the other hand, have a dangerous
effect, especially on the youth. Individual identity is influenced by the media, and the entire
society suffers the negative consequences of the overreliance on media platforms to convey
different sets of information to different audiences (Alonso and Oiarzabal, 2010). The modern
media is a communication tool used by people in different countries while ignoring
communication risks which may be involved. The media includes all platforms used to relay
information such as television shows, cartoons, advertisements, and the internet. All these have
an impact on individual lives and should be used in a rational manner (Putnam and Pacanowsky,
2013). While some people have stepped up to air their views on media usage and content
displayed in the media, others are keen to state that restrictions on media are bound to lead to a
violation of the freedom of speech. This paper provides an argumentative essay regarding the
presence of restrictions on what should be posted or not be posted on the internet (Bennet, 2012).
The focus is on the impact of these restrictions on the freedom of speech, which cannot also be
ignored in the long run. Internet content restriction should not be encouraged, as it limits the
society from a lot of modernization benefits.
Arguments for restrictions on what should be posted on the internet
A. Television commercials
Television shows have generally raised a lot of concern, especially considering the
frequent violent content which is portrayed by the media on a daily basis (Putnam and

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Pacanowsky, 2013). Considering the humor and profane language, some of the aspects seem to
be ignored, while others are keen to monitor their children’s exposure to different content. These
aspects lead to controversial aspects in the media that should not be overlooked. Proponents of
restrictions on media content agree that tobacco and alcohol advertisements, for example, should
not be permitted on prime time television. At this time, most teenagers and children are viewing
television, which in turn exposes them to irrational content (Bowe et al. 2014). By portraying
such commercials on the prime-time television, the youth ends up being convinced to believe
that the behaviours depicted and portrayed are embraced and accepted by the society which is
opposite from the truth.
There is a need to put into consideration that in the modern age, the youth and teenagers
watch television without adult supervision, which has consequences as well (Putnam and
Pacanowsky, 2013). Such commercials make it very hard to regulate the behavior and morality
of these children and adolescents in the society. Children to be precise are very vulnerable to
advertisements about what is healthy and what is unhealthy for them. Different studies also
affirm that alcohol advertisements also have a negative impact on adolescents and increase early
drinking rates among teenagers.
B. The right to troll?
Trolling has been a common practice especially in social media platforms such as Twitter
in the modern day. The internet has for a long time now, been used as an avenue of defamation,
which in turn, hurts the reputation and peaceful well-being of other individuals (Putnam and
Pacanowsky, 2013). A lot of debates surround the concept of free speech with the internet.
However, people need to be sensitive enough of whatever they chose to publish online, to also
safeguard the reputation of others hence the need for restriction on internet posts. The freedom of