IntroductionThe Internet is an important medium through which people can express themselves and share ideas. It offers a wealth of information, resources, and entertainment. Some say that the Internet should be censored to avoid spreading harmful content. Others say that the Internet should remain a free space where people can post and access whatever information they want. Today, our debaters will discuss whether the Internet should be censored. Let’s see what Henry and Ashley have to say.
Henry (Constructive)The Internet should be censored. Censorship needs to be implemented so that people cannot access bad content. People often go online to search for answers to their questions. Without censorship, they are likely to encounter false or inaccurate information. Also, people can use the Internet to spread violent or hateful ideas. Finally, we need censorship so that kids are not exposed to harmful content, such as graphic photos of violence or war. The Internet is safer when it is censored.
Ashley (Constructive)The Internet should not be censored. The Internet was made to be a free space where anyone could express her or his ideas. Censoring the Internet goes against the freedom of expression. Why should the government be able to decide which ideas are suitable or not for the public? People should be able to access and post the content that they want online. We should be individually responsible for our use of the Internet. It must remain free and uncensored!
Henry (Rebuttal)It is true that the Internet was made to be a free space. However, we now know the consequences of this. People spread dangerous and false information online. We also know that it is increasingly difficult to find reliable online sources and that many kids access harmful content. Now that we have seen the problems, it would be irresponsible to turn a blind eye. If we do not censor the Internet, then all of those problems will get much worse.
Ashley (Rebuttal)First of all, it is impossible for the government to get rid of all bad content on the Internet. As soon as it censors one website, another one will pop up. That is inevitable because there are more than 3 billion Internet users in the world! People can also encounter bad content in conversations, newspapers, books, and on TV. Are we going to censor those as well? The government should not control what people see and say.
Judge’s CommentsThe winner of today’s debate is Ashley. Henry committed the logical fallacy called slippery slope. Debaters commit this fallacy when they argue that one thing will lead to another without any sufficient evidence. Henry listed a number of consequences of having a free Internet. He claimed that if we do not censor the Internet, then all those consequences will be much worse. However, he did not provide evidence that this would be the case.