Childrens Right to Access the Internet Essay

Before I start I have a question to put to the audience, please raise your hand if you think that parents should prohibit children’s access to the Internet. I am a firm believer in the right of children to have generous access to the Internet. †Copywriter†, her username on warriorforum.com used to be one of those single – home alone mums who had two children to look after and also had to work full time as a nurse. She barely made enough money to feed the children every day and spent next to no time with her 11 year old boy and 6-year-old daughter. She was desperate. One ordinary day – when everything began to change – she found an ad saying â€Å" Earn money online†, intrigued copywriter went to check it out. Now she is a full time blogger after creating 6 successful blogs, which enables her to stay home and talk with her children and never have to worry about a meal at dinner. She has traveled the world and experienced things she never would have without the income from her blogs. Children nowadays (generation Z) are born into a world surrounded with the Internet and technology, unlike their generation X parents for whom the Internet is not as integrated into their life. By taking away their right to Internet, you are depriving them of the many opportunities to learn skills and gain knowledge on the web. People have argued that children should not have free access to the Internet. This is a problem. For example, Knowledge websites such as Wikipedia have replaced the traditional encyclopedias even to the extent that Encyclopedia Britannica has gone out of business. The web has become a key source of information. The Internet holds a vast range of tutorials available at no cost on a raft of subjects. I myself learnt a series of card tricks that are sure to amaze! Many parents do not seem to grasp this technological world we live in – this is a problem. Software developers, program coders and server hosts are among the top 10 most sought out jobs in 2012. These skills were all learned through access to the Internet and when started at a young age the people became experts very quickly. The Internet itself is a medium through which various businesses can be marketed. The techniques involved require an in depth understanding of the Internet itself as a medium, in order to be successful. Many parents do not seem to know this – this is a problem This leads me on very well on to my next topic, that of the benefits of social media. It is a tragedy that in this day and age some parents deny their children a Facebook account even past the age restriction of 13. Facebook is a social network for socializing and keeping in touch with friends across the world. Believe me, it’s a lot cheaper than international phone calls. I myself use Facebook and often check with other classmates on school related topics such as;’ what P.E subject do we have tomorrow.’ Some parents do not seem to understand this – this too is a problem. A core tenet of democracy is freedom of speech. If a parent bans my access to the Internet, are they not infringing my right to freedom of speech? The Internet is a key medium through which I express my opinions these days. Here we have a big problem! Yeah, so what’s the solution? It would be remiss of me not to point out that there are certain dangers involved with the Internet. By this I mean pornography or extreme violence. Therefore I understand the genuine concern that parents have for their children’s safety. One solution for this is to utilize censoring programs such as Net nanny to protect younger children. However the ultimate solution relies in teaching children to â€Å"self-censor† By entrusting them you give them responsibility which is ultimately more effective than restricting something and thus increasing their desire. For example, would you not rather your child learn to drink safely at home rather than underage in a pub with a bunch of strangers? My parents for example, have trusted me and therefore given me full access to the Internet, which I have not misused. In fact in my spare time I run a server, which employs 30 staff all around the world that earns me roughly 2500$ dollars a month. Therefore on balance I firmly believe parents should allow children to access the Internet to a degree suitable for their age. Now please raise your hands if you think parents should prohibit children’s access to the Internet.. Quod erat demonstrandum or in other words I rest my case.