Join the battle for net neutrality

Chance Moore, Journalism Student

  Has anyone ever thought about who sees the things they post online? Millions of people across the entire planet have access to the internet and are able to see just about anything. However, there is a major threat on the rise, and it’s up to civilians to stop it.

  “Net neutrality” is the idea of all internet data being treated as equal, meaning no unfair censorship or restrictions of any kind. Anything that is posted on the internet stays on the internet. Even if it is deleted from the surface, that post will still be buried deep in the coding of the website.

  However, the major Internet providers and cable networks Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast are trying to end net neutrality for good. They are trying to get the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on their side to persuade the government to repeal net neutrality. If that happens, safe browsing will be a thing of the past.

  Major companies will be able to control what everybody sees and does online. If they do not want online users to see something, or if they want only their advertisements to be viewed, they will have the power to make it happen. Most of the FCC is on board with this change, but Internet users cannot let that happen.

  A special event was held on Wednesday, July 12th of this year called the “Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality.” Protesters repeatedly emailed Congress and the FCC about saving net neutrality. The protesters have won some rights, but the fight is not over yet. There is a way to help Team Internet, by spreading awareness of this problem to other net users, especially to those who use the web daily. By doing this, they can join together and come up with even more ways to help the cause. They do not want to lose this battle, and they cannot win it alone.

  Everyone has used the Internet at some point in their lives. It is only a matter of time before the battle ends, and they do not want to be afraid of searching something on Google. Join the fight to save net neutrality for good.

  Net neutrality is what allows Americans and people worldwide to connect as an online community, because users do not have to worry about being unfairly censored by big companies. If the community does not make a change, what will become of safe browsing? Who will be able to see the screen from the user’s perspective?