Some people say that there is too much harmful content on the internet. They say the only way to make the internet safe is for the government to censor the content of websites. To what extent do you think the government should control what information is available on the internet?

In recent years, the rapid expansion of the internet has made harmful

content

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more accessible than ever before.

While

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some argue that strict government

censorship

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is the only way to ensure online safety, I believe that

although

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governments

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should regulate certain types of

content

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, excessive

control

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would threaten freedom of expression and could be counterproductive. On the one hand, there are clear reasons why

governments

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should intervene. The internet hosts dangerous materials

such

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as terrorist propaganda, child exploitation, cyber fraud, and misinformation that can destabilise societies. Without regulation, vulnerable groups—especially children—may be exposed to psychological harm or manipulation. Government action to remove illegal

content

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, enforce age restrictions, and penalise online criminal activity is

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necessary to maintain public safety. Many countries have already implemented laws targeting hate speech and online harassment, demonstrating that measured

control

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can be effective.

On the other hand

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, giving

governments

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unlimited power to censor websites poses serious risks. Excessive

control

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could suppress legitimate criticism, restrict access to important information, and undermine democratic values. History has shown that

censorship

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tools can be misused to silence political opposition or

control

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public opinion.

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, determining what constitutes “harmful”

content

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is often subjective and influenced by cultural or political perspectives.

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of blanket

censorship

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, a multi-stakeholder approach involving technology companies, educators, parents, and users themselves would be more balanced and sustainable. In my view,

governments

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should act as regulators rather than controllers. Their role should focus on establishing clear legal boundaries for illegal

content

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while

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protecting freedom of speech. Digital literacy education is

also

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crucial so that citizens can critically evaluate online information and protect themselves from harm. In conclusion, government regulation of the internet is necessary to address genuinely dangerous

content

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, but excessive

censorship

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would create more problems than it solves. A balanced approach combining targeted laws, corporate responsibility, and public education is the most effective way to ensure a safer online environment.