Could you imagine having to pay to check your social media platforms? Or shop online? Or to do research for a school project? If your answer is no, then listen up.
Today's world has developed into a technological powerhouse, and at its heart is the internet. When you go on the internet, you expect to be instantly connected to your favorite websites, like Netflix, Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon. You expect to be able to freely use whatever websites you want.
You expect net neutrality.
To put it simply, net neutrality allows anyone with internet access to freely browse the internet. Net Neutrality is implemented so internet service providers can not intentionally block content or purposefully slow networks down. It also protects and enables the right to free speech online. However, President Trump's Federal Communications Commission chairman, Ajit Pai is looking to change that.
Without net neutrality, internet service providers could transform the internet as we know it, and turn the internet into a cable subscription. Cable providers are able to offer a vast array of different packages, that include different channels.
The more you pay each month, the more channels you get access to. This is potentially what the internet could look like without net neutrality. No more free Twitter, Netflix, or Facebook. Not only would this reversal impact browsing for personal purposes, but it will greatly impact browsing for academia, play part in reshaping education, and potentially raise the cost of the already pricey post-secondary education.
Why isn't the net neutrality making headlines then? The past few months have caused headlines on news platforms to be bogged down with political happenings, social accusations, and global disasters. While the final decision will be made on December 14th, there is still time to speak up to keep net neutrality. Make your opinion heard, before the internet as we know it is changed.
