Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Define internet censorship and give arguments for and against it.
- Identify the major threats to privacy online and ways to protect it.
- Define the digital divide, its causes, and its consequences.
- Relate these issues to Nepal.
Ethical and Social Issues of the Internet
While the internet has brought enormous benefits, it has also created a new set of complex ethical and social challenges.
Censorship
Internet censorship is the control or suppression of what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the internet. It may be carried out by governments, private organizations, or individuals. The debate over censorship often involves a conflict between the desire to protect people from harmful content and the right to freedom of speech.
Forms of censorship
- Blocking websites or apps at the ISP level.
- Removing content from platforms (takedown requests).
- Internet shutdowns in a region during unrest or exams.
- Self-censorship by users who fear consequences.
- Filtering in schools, offices, and homes (parental controls).
| Arguments for censorship | Arguments against censorship |
|---|---|
| Protects children from harmful content | Limits freedom of speech and expression |
| Reduces hate speech, fake news, and fraud sites | Can be misused to silence critics and journalists |
| Supports national security and law enforcement | Blocks useful information along with harmful content |
| Protects copyright and intellectual property | Easily bypassed with VPNs, so often ineffective |
Privacy Issues
Privacy is a major concern in the digital age. Companies and governments can collect vast amounts of personal data about individuals, often without their full knowledge or consent. This data can be used for targeted advertising, surveillance, or other purposes.
- Key Concerns: Who is collecting your data? What are they doing with it? How is it being protected?
How data is collected
- Cookies and trackers that follow you across websites.
- Mobile apps requesting access to contacts, location, camera, and microphone.
- Social media posts, check-ins, and photos.
- Loyalty cards and online orders that record what you buy.
- Data breaches, where hackers steal and leak stored data.
Protecting your privacy
- Review app permissions and privacy settings regularly.
- Share less personal information publicly (phone number, address, travel plans).
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Prefer HTTPS websites and avoid suspicious links.
- Read what data a service collects before signing up.
The Digital Divide
The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to modern information and communication technology and those who do not. This gap can be based on socioeconomic status, geographic location, age, or disability. The digital divide can exacerbate existing social inequalities, as those without internet access are cut off from a wealth of information, educational resources, and economic opportunities.
| Cause | Example |
|---|---|
| Geography | Remote hill and mountain villages without fiber or strong 4G |
| Income | Families unable to afford smartphones, laptops, or data packs |
| Digital literacy | Older people unsure how to use apps or avoid scams |
| Language | Most online content in English, not local languages |
| Disability | Websites not designed for screen readers or low vision |
| Gender | Women in some households having less access to devices |
Ways to bridge the divide: expanding rural broadband and mobile coverage, affordable devices and data, digital literacy training in schools and communities, local-language content, and accessible website design.
Nepal Context
- Censorship: Nepal has at times directed ISPs to block certain websites and apps, which led to public debate about freedom of expression versus regulating harmful content.
- Privacy: The Individual Privacy Act, 2075 (2018) recognizes the right to privacy of personal information, and the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 covers cybercrime. Data leaks and social media scams are growing concerns.
- Digital divide: Internet use is high in Kathmandu Valley and other cities, but many rural and mountain communities still have weak connectivity. During COVID-19 school closures, students without devices or internet could not join online classes, showing the real cost of the divide.
Summary
The internet is not without its problems. Major ethical and social issues include censorship, which pits safety against freedom of speech; the erosion of privacy in an age of mass data collection through cookies, apps, and breaches; and the digital divide, which threatens to leave behind those without access to technology because of geography, income, literacy, language, or disability. Navigating these challenges is one of the most important tasks for society in the 21st century.
Key Takeaways
- Internet censorship is the control or suppression of online content.
- Censorship balances protection from harm against freedom of expression.
- The internet has created major challenges for personal privacy.
- The digital divide is the gap between those with and without access to technology.
- Infrastructure, affordability, and digital literacy are key to bridging the divide.
Discussion Questions
- Should governments have the right to censor content on the internet? If so, what kind of content?
- What steps can you take to protect your privacy online?
- What can be done to help close the digital divide?
Exam-Style Questions
Short answer
- What is internet censorship? Give two forms of it.
- List four ways personal data is collected online.
- Define the digital divide.
Long answer
- Discuss the arguments for and against internet censorship.
- What is the digital divide? Explain its causes and suggest measures to reduce it in Nepal.
