The Great Firewall: The Negative Impact Of The Internet On China

The Internet is a key to innovation. In the United States, the Internet has had a positive effect on education. It has widened the amount and type of resources available for research, provided students with effective methods of collaboration (discussion boards and forums), and has allowed for social networking to become less formal and more widespread. This has not happened in China. The “Great Firewall” is inhibiting China and thus curbing its innovation. Academic freedom is a First Amendment right that is recognized by the American government; however, China’s academic freedom is “constrained by the Communist Party’s monopoly on power, which is enshrined in the Constitution, and by the party’s deep involvement in the operation of the

Due to the blocking of “sensitive” or “harmful” information, blogging and social media tools are not as open for use to speak freely on any topic, especially political matters. The “Great Firewall” affects Chinese citizens, but also the students who decide to study abroad in China. Most students have left their country where there is little to no restriction. These international students have to keep in mind that topics discussed in China are sensitive and sometimes even restricted. They must know the boundaries of what is acceptable to discuss and what is not. Internet censorship does not have to immediately and altogether be unblocked, but progress should be made to lessen the restrictions and allow more access to the Chinese citizens. There are restrictions placed on the Internet for certain things in other parts of the world, but it is not as bad or intensified as in China. Again, the Internet censorship in China has fostered a lack of education and culture that allows for their citizens to think creatively and speak up for themselves