by Elizabeth A. Marion

Created on: June 30, 2010

It seems that nowadays with every issue and every product there is always someone, or a group of people, who look at it and say, "The government should babysit us by regulating this so we don't harm ourselves or have to take responsibility for ourselves!" Adults should have the sense and the responsibility to decide for themselves how and when to use the internet without further direction, intervention, or reliance upon the so-called Nanny State.

It's not that the internet can never be used for anything bad. It certainly can and it is. Some of the concerns that people have over the use of the internet are legitimate, but it does not necessarily justify calls for regulation. A lot of things that are otherwise good can be used for bad, but that does not automatically mean that they should be banned or even regulated.

Libel is a concern with the internet, but so is free speech. People can be held accountable for making threats or spreading lies about others. There is no reason for the government to take more power by regulating the internet. Concern over things like libel is legitimate, but so is the concern that people will be prevented from expressing an opinion about someone because the government deems it libel.

The concern over exposure of personal information is ultimately a matter of personal responsibility. Do you really need the government to tell you how much information you should post on the internet about yourself and what you should leave out? You are responsible for what you post on the internet. Not the government, you. And if you reap the benefits of being viewed legally and treated as an adult you should be able to make decisions for yourself as an adult. As for the concern about children posting personal information, that comes down to the responsibilities of the parents. It is their job to "regulate" internet use in their home, not the government.

Pornography is another reason some claim our government should be given more power. Pornography is distasteful to many people, but those people can choose not to view it and to avoid those websites that promote and display it. The government should not step in because some feel they have some type of addiction to pornography and cannot resist. The issue of children being exposed to pornography also comes down to parents taking responsibility. Adults should not be denied something for the sole reason that it is inappropriate for children's eyes. If that were the case adults would not be able to do a lot of other things. Parents need to parent their own kids, not the government. It is obviously not an easy task to protect kids from things we don't want them to see on the internet, but that burden should not be placed upon the government.

The bottom line is that the internet can be used for good and bad. Does that really mean that the government should regulate anything that can be used for both? If that's the case, than everything would literally be subject to government regulation.

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