With rapid technological development, the internet usage has experienced a tremendous growth in recent year, especially among the adolescents. The skeptical validity of the information available on the internet has brought to the concern on whether internet censorship should be implement. While the advocates welcome the measure with the belief that it helps protect adolescents from the misguidance and bullying from the use of internet, the critics argue that this measure is a hindrance to the development and freedom of adolescents. This paper examines both the advantages and disadvantages of internet censorship on adolescents in Hong Kong and provides suggestions based on these arguments. Advocates of the internet censorship affirm that this
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They believe that with the internet being censored, internet users who take the advantage of the anonymous nature of the internet and leaving irresponsible comments will behave themselves and be more prudent when leaving comment online. As a result, the problem of cyberbullying can put a halt by internet censorship. The necessity of taking internet censorship as an avenue to eliminate the problem of cyberbullying can be seen. Chiang (2015) reveals that the number of cyberbullying cases has increased by fivefold from 2013 to 2014. This shows that current education and prevention measures unable to eliminate the problem. Lee (2015) points out that there is “no one magic way” to combat the problem of cyberbullying. It is believed that internet censorship can coexist with education and prevention in combating the problem of …show more content…
This measure may help protect adolescents from accessing the inappropriate content as well as address the problem of cyberbullying. Meanwhile, freedom of speech will be infringed and educational resources will be limited. Taking these arguments into account, I believe the implementation of internet censorship can be acceptable only when the co-existence of different points of views on the issue is available on the internet which can ensure the measure will not be a hindrance for adolescents in developing their sense of civic identity. Internet censorship should also not be an avenue to hide the fact. Instead, it should be a filter that enable the publish of fact and deny the post of false and exaggerated untruth. Once these are achieved, internet censorship can be a blessing to adolescents in Hong
They believe that with the internet being censored, internet users who take the advantage of the anonymous nature of the internet and leaving irresponsible comments will behave themselves and be more prudent when leaving comment online. As a result, the problem of cyberbullying can put a halt by internet censorship. The necessity of taking internet censorship as an avenue to eliminate the problem of cyberbullying can be seen. Chiang (2015) reveals that the number of cyberbullying cases has increased by fivefold from 2013 to 2014. This shows that current education and prevention measures unable to eliminate the problem. Lee (2015) points out that there is “no one magic way” to combat the problem of cyberbullying. It is believed that internet censorship can coexist with education and prevention in combating the problem of …show more content…
This measure may help protect adolescents from accessing the inappropriate content as well as address the problem of cyberbullying. Meanwhile, freedom of speech will be infringed and educational resources will be limited. Taking these arguments into account, I believe the implementation of internet censorship can be acceptable only when the co-existence of different points of views on the issue is available on the internet which can ensure the measure will not be a hindrance for adolescents in developing their sense of civic identity. Internet censorship should also not be an avenue to hide the fact. Instead, it should be a filter that enable the publish of fact and deny the post of false and exaggerated untruth. Once these are achieved, internet censorship can be a blessing to adolescents in Hong