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Government Blocking of Social Media Sites
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Should governments have the ability and rights to block citizens from using social media sites such as twitter, facebook, etc. for ANY reason? Please give your thoughts.
- Yes - At any time they see fit
- No - Never - Violates the rights of citizen's freedom
- Sometimes - Depends on the circumstances
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User Comments
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It's great to yell "Freedom of Speech" but even that has restrictions like yelling fire in a crowded theatre. People who physically threaten others, bully or lie, talk libelous, abuse teenagers verbally, don't belong at social media sites when such behavior is warned against. What is wrong with respect/manners in social situations or in social media? |
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I agree with the "fire" thing. But I don't believe governments should EVER shut down social media sites that have, as a rule, be used by its citizen because they are communicating with one another in a way the government disapproves. That's scary to me, and I hope it never happens here, although I do believe they have the ability to do so. |
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Sorry I misunderstood the question--I just wish the web owners would do more especially with allowing those under 18 on their site--they can't drink so it isn't like taking a 'right' away from them--between twitter, FB, craigslist, etc they are exposed to too many evils out there. |
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Well you know there would never be a way to tell the age of any user, so I don't see how they could ever cut or disallow useage by any age group. |
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Ah but there are parents aren't there? I guess I am asking too much especially when parents go on the Internet and harass/bully kids. Actually physical threats, slander, libel, etc., cannot be stopped legally on the Internet as the law gets very involved regarding proof, being in same State, county, etc. |
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@Gm that is up tot he website to monitor not the government. |
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I see no situation under which the government needs, should have or can be trusted with the "right" to block the access of citizens to social media. We're talking about the right to block all citizens from any social media site the way China does, right? They aren't an example worth living up to. Persons such as those cited by Greatmartin can be blocked by a site's owners, and actual criminals can be blocked by restraining orders and law. Government doesn't need a personal hand in any of those things. |
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I was reading an article tonight saying England is considering this type of block because of the "flash mobs" that are gathering and causing problems over there now. I think governments have to deal with it in other ways than to block Facebook, Twitter, etc to all people because of the actions of some. |
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Rather pointless, as the only way they can stop the use of the internet that way completely is shutting down all local ISPs. |
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I voted- “sometimes”, and here is why: We restrict convicts from owning firearms, which infringes on their 2nd amendment rights. So I see no problems in restricting convicted pedophiles from using social media which children use. (Though, policing that might be hard to do. Maybe it could be done by a probation officer.) As far as the “flash mop” situation, I would not want to see people’s freedom of speech taken away just for rumors of a gang forming, or people “trash talking.” But I would like to see the police department try and infiltrate these groups (by befriending them on Facebook or Myspace) and being prepared for a mob forming, and where. It can be done. These groups of people in these flash mops can number 100 people, so they are not being very careful of whom they tell about the flash mob event. I am not trying to blame the police department because this is all relatively new to us. But, going forward, the police should try and infiltrate these groups just the same way they covertly join drug dealers while being undercover. Good question-I love cats |
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I'd rather see it happen the way you describe than to see them block these mediums from ALL people in order to get control of a few or in an attempt to try and keep them from communicating with one another. I've often wondered what the Powers To Be in our OWN country have IF the day comes where there is unrest in the streets of the USA. As things continue to worsen...and I feel they will, and as the middle class continues to disappear, as it seems to be beginning to to...I think people are going to get MAD. We may see people, who once lived a nice middle class life and have had it ripped from them...IN the streets letting the government KNOW their dissatisfaction. Some may say it would never happen here, but I'm not so sure. I DO believe they have the ability to kill all our cell phones right? Do they also not have the ability to pull the plug on the internet...which would cease all communications among our citizens? I may be wrong, but I think so. |
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freedom of speech, if it is free, should never be squashed. |
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I agree. I'd really freak if I ever found that OUR government would limit our ability to communicate. Do you know if they have the ability to do this? Seems like I've heard that they do. I'm pretty sure I've also heard they can do the same with cell phones. Cut all the ability of people to make calls. Only once in my life have I found my cell unusable and that was on 9/11 because of the overload of people trying to use phones at the same time. |
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these constitutionalists that preach this stuff have got to go.....they don't have a clue about the constitution |
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"freedom of speech, if it is free, should never be squashed." Absolutely. |
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This was a hard one. I guess the worry is if certain people started trying to stir up trouble - like terrorists - there would always be the vulnerable or easily led people willing to go for it. Because who is actually watching these sites and making sure non of that stuff is going on. Over here they say that the 'Blackberry' phones were used to spread the word about the riots and getting everyone to join in. Now they definitely should have shut that down while that was going on. I don't care about the users freedom, what about the victims with no homes, etc. Sorry. |
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I guess I'm not sure I understand. So you think it would be OK for the government there to cut usage of the mediums (cell phones, FB, Twitter etc) if it was done to prohibit the people organizing the flash mobs there for being able to communicate? |
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This was a thoughtful poll and one I had a hard time deciding... |
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I voted no. Who is to say when and why it should be shut down? Slippery slope.... |
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I TOTALLY agree with you. I don't think they should even have the ability to do this. It's a scary thought to me! |
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If we can't shut THEM down why should they have the "right" to shut us down? |
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LOL...that's the best laugh I've had all day and SO TRUE...if ONLY we could shut them up or ship them OUT! |
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LOL! Glad you enjoyed that. I think they(at least most of them) need to take their egos and go home to stay. |
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No because this isn't China. |
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you can justifiably and morally yell fire in a theatre, packed or empty, if there is a fire. and if you vote yes in the above poll, you are voting against your own interests. in this country, we like to give the political bodies we like the power to do things forgetting that they will be soon replaced by those we dislike and may dislike us as well. |
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So true. As I hear this happening in other countries at time of unrest, it really worries me that it CAN happen here! |
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even lincoln, arguably the most revered president, suspended habeas corpus to quell his enemies. fortunately, it was temporary but so far the same can't be said for the patriot act which says the government can look into your business w/o a judge's permission. |
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A U.S. Supreme Court Justice once said: "If you can do it to any body, you can do it to anybody." All you need do is "find" a reason "why". |
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It's scary to me. I do think they have the ability now to cut all cell phone usage. That's one reason we keep a land line at a minimal fee. I don't know if they have the ability to cut off all social media...facebook, twitter, etc. with the push of a button, but I assume so. Hope it never happens here! |
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I think no matter what you take away if people are set on doing something they will do it so why take everyones privilage for bad eggs?? If they cut of phone usage and internet then that can even further hurt the economy since almost everywhere you go now you apply for the job online, or lets say your sick how will you call into work or the doctor? With all the events going on daily in the average americans life I believe it would be illogical to allow the government take away our form of "life". Also if our social system get shut down Im sure all the peoples in the government wont apply to the shut down and continue useing their phones and internet... |
I feel it's hard to give people the ability to organize through these mediums when it comes to some things, and then to remove it at their discretion. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I see it happening, as it's now being considered in England.