The principle of Net Neutrality is, simply put, internet equality. We’re living in a digital age where society has become dependent on the internet and our endless options of search results. In this blog, I will delve into the topic of Net Neutrality and how it affects consumer access to online information, media literacy, and society.
Information Access
We can think of internet service providers (ISPs) as a streaming service like Netflix or Disney+. We know that on Netflix, we will only receive the media that Netflix hosts. This limits our options drastically. Our only options are those that Netflix is financially profiting from.
On Disney+, we know we’ll be greeted by Disney movies and shows when we open the app, but additionally, we’ll see options to watch Hulu, Pixar, ESPN, and more within the Disney+ platform. This is a result of Disney buying these big media names, which are now a part of the Disney ecosystem. If you look at it one way, that’s a lot of options within the Disney+ app! Yay for options… right? Maybe not. It’s all owned by one company, which means our options are being controlled by this company for its profit.
Let’s not forget to mention that all streaming services have different price tiers for playback quality, number of users, ad-free, and more.
To relate this back to Net Neutrality and ISPs, the same way Netflix and Disney gatekeep their media collections on their platforms, Net Neutrality’s purpose is to keep the internet’s giant gate open and unbiased. Without Net Neutrality, ISPs could take after streaming services and create different tiers of internet access based on financial commitment (and financial access). If ISPs were to limit our access to information and favor media from specific sources, it could result in a digital space where all of our information is decided by a few powerful conglomerates.
Media Literacy & Society
Media literacy requires complete access and freedom to the internet and the ability to engage the digital space. Developing knowledge on how to be a literate media consumer is at risk without Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality prevents censorship and protects the freedom and use of the internet.
Net Neutrality is vital for a healthy functioning society. If ISPs were able to censor information and limit internet access, I think society would experience a dramatic divide due to misinformation and lack of resources. Having your information access cut off puts you in an information desert, hindering your experience as a person participating in society. This could mean limited information on local, national, and international news and even limited job opportunities and housing resources for certain communities or people.
In an interconnected digital world, the Internet serves as a space for dialogue, activism, and the open exchange of ideas. Net Neutrality plays a critical role in ensuring everyone has equal access to the internet. The internet should remain accessible to all to develop media literacy and ensure that people feel empowered to be active participants in society.
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