Topic: The infrastructure and regulation of the Internet has seen many changes over the past two decades. It will certainly see as many, if not more, in the next. We have discussed where the Internet came from, why, how it is structured and how it moved from a government activity to an open public one as well as that it may be heading toward a government one again. Two significant events are effecting Internet operations. These are: 1) what was once essentially a means of correspondence has become the "Internet of things" with house locks, refrigerators and cars all being connected and 2) computing activities are rapidly moving toward mobile and cloud communications. There are forming two camps about the freedom of the internet as well as the communications that transpire on it.
Some believe that the government should stay out, has it historically has, of direct involvement and let the internet continue to define itself. These individuals make such points as the internet has reached its current level without government controls, it is going fine and that any controlling would be done at the pressures of "big money" and at the expense of the individual. Another group believe there is a need for government involvement/supervision. This group has exerted pressure to not only change the "ownership" of the Internet but also for governments to take a much more active role in regulation. This position points to a need to regulate content (e.g. pornography, hate), address hacking or even control who gets what speeds.
Discuss the below Pro and Con Statements
The Pro position statement: The Internet has expanded from a small group with a specific mission to a vast service that encompasses the far reaching "internet of things". In order to meet increasing consumer demands and secure the orderly future of the Internet, it is now essential that government move to increase their legal and regulatory control over internet activities.
The Con position statement: The Internet has expanded from a small group with a specific mission to today's vast international "internet of things". It has grown into this powerful international service with a minimum of government influence and it is essential for its future that government involvement be kept to an absolute minimum.