A More Accessible Cyberspace
sunhoff bbs.chinadaily.com.cn  Updated: 2005-09-29 16:06

The new policy on Internet governance is making the Web community accessible. As an individual Internet user, I feel the process of China's website is going on the rails. It is a right way to consider centralizing the global regulation of the Internet.

It is right for the new regulations of China to address the problems facing the Internet, such as violence, crime, pornography, anti-government, etc. It is great to see a better web world in the future.

Chinese people were strange to the Internet even several years ago. But in recent five years, the Internet has developed so quickly that there are over 100 million web users in China. It is a truth that, when so many people devote into the web, the wrong people among will do something wrong on the web. They post dirty words; attack dissidents in forums; spread unhealthy contents on the web. They block the Internet developing to be multilateral, transparent and democratic.

While a good website world should give net citizens room for cooperation and for the exchange of views. It doesn't need to repeat the importance a good web for the growing of children. Actually at most time, a web community contains quite a few ethic problems. Take the children in elementary schools for an example: when they need to get more information, the best way is to turn to the Internet. Unfortunately, they enter a forum by chance, in which most topics are about violence. Can you imagine how will that impact the children?

If a school has a direct Internet connection, then anyone, including students, can access objectionable material. This is why it is important to develop clear policies for use of the Internet. Rules should be set up to enforce behavior and there should be consequences for those students who engage in inappropriate behavior on the Internet. Also, schools should promote ethics for the Internet such as current Internet issues and technology briefs.

At this point, it is difficult to regulate every part of the Internet. This is partially because thousands of people donate information to the Internet every day. However, there are many ways to effectively regulate certain parts of the Internet so that people will be less able to access objectionable material.

All in all, there will always be material on the Internet unsuitable for people, and it would be a lifelong process to monitor and catch every bit of objectionable material entering the Internet. People should be taught how to use the Internet appropriately and constructively. When used correctly, the Internet can be a powerful source of good information. The Internet makes information accessible to people. The new Internet regulation would bring a better Internet that truly everyone will be able to use without the worry of social conflicts arising such as pornography, violence and explicit language.

The above content represents the view of the author only.

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