Should Access to the Internet be a Human Right?

 Should Access to the Internet be a Human Right?

Technology is the fastest-developing product on the market. As it has become a part of our daily lives, there has been a dispute over whether access to the internet should be a human right. The internet is censored and monitored to ensure sensitive information is not exposed to the public. This leaves many upset, as it can interfere with their right to free speech and the press. In the article “Digital skills in social work education: a human rights issue?” written by Laura Racovita, Mioara Diaconu, and Domingo Carbornero Munoz, the authors detail the ongoing controversy on access to the internet through the use of ethos, pathos, and logos. 

The internet has great power, as it can affect lives quickly. Information can travel across the world within seconds, allowing for a more educated society, but at the same time, it is easier for misinformation to get out. The authors argue, “...States can responsibly provide such [internet] access, regulate protective online measures and potential censorship, or even use their availability as a social and political weapon.” Regulating a worldwide web like the internet can lead to corruption within a government. States can limit what you can see and show you what they want you to see, leading to a bigger influence on a large-scale population. Videos and articles can be published and promoted by the government to stir up emotions, ultimately affecting their actions. 

Access to information impacts societies significantly. Informed citizens can develop products quickly and have a much better education. Therefore, according to the Association of College and Research Libraries, it states, “...information literacy in the form of access has been included as a key component of how human rights intersect and engage at different levels of society, including communication, participation in governance, voting, and expression of ideas.” The spread of information truly does enhance society's development at the most efficient rate. 

Open access to the Internet should be a human right, as it allows for less corruption and more advancement. The authors used credible sources and information to prove that the world is a better place with an open Internet. 

Work Cited

DICKENS, AMY. “From Information to Valuable Asset: The Commercialization of Health Data as a Human Rights Issue.” Health and Human Rights, vol. 22, no. 2, 2020, pp. 67–70.