Should The Internet Be Considered A Human Right

Bill Gates once said “The internet is becoming the town square of the village of tomorrow.” We now live in this age of tomorrow. The internet now acts as an extension of the growing global community. It provides a medium for individuals to access information, express their beliefs and opinions, and organize peaceful assembly. But should it be considered a human right? Human rights are defined as being undeniable, inherent rights for all individuals. Some define internet access as a human right, others would consider it a tool or a luxury, not necessarily inalienable to all human beings. Regardless of the differences in these stances, the internet has undoubtedly become a powerful form of communication and a tool for access to information. It …show more content…
Frank La Rue wrote, “Given that the Internet has become an indispensable tool for realizing a range of human rights, combating inequality, and accelerating development and human progress, ensuring universal access to the Internet should be a priority for all states on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression," (Rue). It also advocated for the expansion of access to internet without censorship or discrimination. The internet is a tool for in which people may use to exercise their freedom of speech and opinion through blogs or social media sites. By restriction access to the internet, a state is essentially restricting the basic human right of freedom of speech and opinions. The right of an individual to practice free speech and participate in politically in a society qualifies as a critical necessity in our basic human rights. Restricting access to the internet effectively restricts one’s right to political participation and freedom of …show more content…
Considering this, I think it is wise for the United Nations to regard internet access as a human right as so many nations continue to block internet access as a way to prevent free speech. In an ever increasing way, social media and the internet are the most widely used form of communication especially for larger audiences. As governments deny access to media, they also deny the expansion of the freedom of speech, the freedom to organize peacefully, and access information. If Access to the internet is not treated with the importance of an human right, it will continue to decline in the world and halt any gains for other basic human rights, such as freedom of speech. Not treating the access of internet as human right further restricts other inalienable human rights and further stratifies the world by economic class. Access to the internet is a human right as it is a tool to communicate discontent and freedom of opinion. Without this access, the ability to use your freedom of speech or communication would be