There has been much debate in the last decade regarding the internet. The internet, since its creation in the 1960’s, has been an “information superhighway”, but unlike most actual highways, there is very little policing that takes place. The internet is an uncensored, unrestricted form of free speech. Anyone, at any time, can place any information or any opinion on the web for the entire world to see. Freedom of speech is a very important part of human rights, but there has to be limits. YouTube and the YouTube community believe in the value of freedom of speech. They believe that is one of the best attributes of the web. Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental principles that YouTube was built on. Along the way, however, rules had to be enforced for extreme cases. YouTube insists that any video uploaded on to their site cannot show pornographic material or drug abuse. As well, it cannot display any form of gratuitous violence; YouTube states very clearly that they are not a shock site. Furthermore, they believe in the freedom of speech, just as long as it is not considered hate speech that could seriously offend a race, religion or gender group. YouTube is committed to upholding their laws about broadcasting. They are trying to establish a community where everyone can be heard, taught, and entertained, without feeling abused. If all websites where to have the same laws as YouTube, maybe the streets of the “information Highway” would be a little safer.
In a world where children are the most computer savvy among us, their virtual playground maybe needs a bit of a clean-up.
