Looking at the way everything works around us, completely prohibiting a practice has been a huge challenge because at first glance, it all feels impossible. And that is because, these days, most persons don’t have the strong will or enough truth to know that something is good or bad, we sometimes find a middle ground we call “balance” which I’ll say it’s necessary in some cases, especially in things that there is no direct command on how God wants us to do it (at least for me).
The Hivelearners prompt for this second edition enjoins us to talk about our fundamental human rights, especially on the aspect of internet restriction. I’m not exactly sure why anyone in authority would want to completely ban the use of the internet, especially in a fast paced world like ours. So in this post, I’m going to share some of my thoughts on this and it would also be nice to see what others have to say about it.
For starters, I don’t see anything wrong with using the internet and if those in authority choose to ban it’s use, then it would be a total abuse of power especially when there is no reason or whatsoever. The internet has only made things better for most people except those who weren’t so fortunate. The internet gave us the opportunity to be everywhere, learn about different cultures, people and places. The internet has also made a lot of people rich both legally and illegally (of course there is a reward for every action).
Personally, I believe a lot of persons will also agree with me that stopping people from having access to the internet is an infringement on their rights as humans. There are definitely reasons why this kind of censorship would be passed and most times, it is due to insecurities on the part of those agreeing and implementing such laws. Today we see how much the internet has given a lot of people voices even when they thought they had lost it. But even as others are happy about this, some are sad because they feel they are being exposed of their wrongs while others are just badmouthed unjustly.
Looking at this two categories of people, if they are given the opportunity, they will definitely want to shut down the internet forever. Not because of anything selfless but because they are tired of feeling insecure and unsafe. There might actually come a time when the government or the head of the home might choose to make a decision like this for the good of so many people and at that point, it might be due to the cry of the masses wishing that the internet be banned for a particular reason or it’s effect on lives.
But if not, if the ruling was passed only based on personal interests, it is going to be disastrous because people won’t want to accept that and that would cause them to be more rebellious. People will become even worse than they were before the ban of the internet and that won’t help things get any better. But then, if a good reason is given for why the internet has to go away, and people are given time to accept that reality, then I don’t think it will be an encroachment of anyone’s rights.
Also, using the internet is not bad. So, in a case where the ban is happening because there is abuse, what helps is advice and guidance. Parents and guardians should be able to advice those under them the best way to make use of the internet and they should always be ready to listen to their wards to know when they are having troubles with anything, so the internet won’t be a place for them to dump themselves like they don’t have any purpose for themselves.
In a time like this, banning the internet is almost not going to be effective in solving any problem but if peradventure there comes a time when it is needed, I know we are going to survive and adjust. It is only going to take some time. If there is thing I know about us (humans), it is the fact that we are one of the most adaptable species on earth. We are always evolving and we can be really tolerant when the need be.
In conclusion, I do believe that access to the internet is our rights as humans because it was made to be used by us and not by animals. So, stopping people from having access to it without any good reason and also without them willing to accept it, is a violation of their rights as humans. The world will definitely be a mess if it happen for a wrong reason, if not, I believe that as humans, with time we will become more tolerant to the situation of things and figure out other ways to find meaning to life.
Thanks for reading through. ❤️
