by Elizabeth M Young

Created on: December 18, 2009

So many people have become active on the internet that they now must be classified and defined as part of categories of individuals when we discuss social issues concerning  the internet. There are most, who use their access to do business, whether personal or for profit. There are many who use the internet for education, to contribute content, and to communicate with others for official or legitimate purposes. There are those who use the internet to create problems. There are those who have problems with using the internet.

Restricting the use of the internet is then an issue of having a legitimate or reasonable reason for doing so. In the first situation that comes to mind, internet use for criminal purposes, there are sanctions against those who are caught doing so. Hackers and others who have caused trouble can be legally prohibited from using the internet. Prisoners are not allowed any access, but manage to have others do the access for them.  Thus, restricting internet use on the basis of criminal activity is taken care of when law enforcement is capable of catching and incarcerating criminals.

But to broaden restrictions to whole communities or to non criminals would not only be unsuccessful, but would amount to oppression and injustice.

In a tie or close second are the very young who do not have the maturity, sophistication or thought process to stay out of trouble on line. There are those who are mentally ill or who have developed addictive processes to the point where they cannot complete the normal life functions of taking care of themselves or others. In other words, some individuals become so dysfunctional in their internet use that they cannot act in their own best interests. Addictions to pornography, gambling, gaming, and other pursuits were some of the first social problems to develop when the internet became widely accessible.

To generalize restrictions to larger populations who do not have serious addictions is not only impossible, but amounts to improper restrictions on freedom of speech, ability to engage in commerce, and other infringement on constitutional rights.

When it comes to restricting internet  use because of economic and class issues, however, the process cheats the disadvantaged who will not be able to compete in the work, school and other environments where computer and internet savvy is essential. Restricting internet use for illegitimate reasons, such as to suppress

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