How Far Should Government Be Involved In Monitoring The Internet

"In the year 2018, the Internet has now reached a global scale of immense proportions; just in the United States, it is now in almost 99% of our homes. Thus, this influence raises the question, how far should the government be involved in monitoring the internet? With the most recent Net Neutrality issue, the government has now become tangled with constant debate about free market. However, because of society’s personal involvement with the network, it is my firm belief that the government should be involved to some minimal degree when it comes to protecting the people’s privacy.

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace are websites which people use to communicate; thus, if the government was to become too involved with limiting Net Neutrality; it would be like impeding Speech and Privacy provided in the Bill of Rights. With this in mind, since the government (on all levels) already guarantees protection of these rights, it should also be allowed to monitor them online. In fact, according to the 14th amendment’s equal protection clause, “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States”; the government should be involved with protecting these rights even online.

For example, when ruling based on the First Amendment’s protection of liberty on the privacy of speech, the Supreme Court ruled in the Stanley v.

Georgia that the State does not have a right to tell people what to do in their home. As a result, the Internet should be the same; since people access the network privately it makes sense that the government should protect the privacy of those using it. Current Regulations such as: “The Federal Trade Commission Act”, and “The Financial Services Modernization Act”, which are already applicable online should be enforced by the federal government should be upheld as well as the other already existing

regulations.
The Internet is a type of media; information is constantly being shared between users whether or not is via email or social networks. In the article on “Constitutional Rights”, the 4th Amendment clearly states that it, “protects privacy against unreasonable searches”, using the concept of implied powers this Amendment also applies to the Internet. It is also arguable that the powers which are not taken away by the states or the federal government remain to the people (Ninth Amendment). The constitution specifically mentions media and the regulations which should be upheld, meaning slander and libel laws still apply.
To clarify, Supreme Court cases such as New York Times v. Sullivan and United States v. New York Times should still be upheld when protecting information. Moreover, former FCC president, Michael Powell stated in regards to this argument that if the government becomes too involved not only the economy would suffer, but if they’re too absent it could also cause chaos. Finally, the ideal way for the government to handle the network is to monitor it the way they monitor the media; and to uphold the rights listed in the Bill of Rights as they would for any citizens.

"