I feel as if net neutrality should be deleted because it is getting very out of control!   If everything was going fine and people weren't saying mean things to each other we would be able to keep ne neutrality and live a very healthy fun and free type of life .  I feel as if over the years we've had more and more problems with net neutrality because the world out here is just getting worse and worse.  Over time I feel as if we'll be able to conquer net neutrality and it will be gone and out of sight so we won't have to worry about these types of things anymore.  One of my friends used to say a lot of mean things on the internet to people just to get a reaction out of them.  I always thought it was horrible but I never said anything because I didn't want her to do the same thing to me.  She was kind of like a friend to me but she was the type of person that I thought would turn on me if I did anything that she didn't like.  That's why I dropped her and she's not my friend anymore. I learned from her mistakes that you shouldn't be rude to people and say things that will hurt peoples feelings because in the end you could hurt their feelings or worse risk their life. You should never say anything to someone that can affect them in a bad and horrible way.  If you don't want it done to you then what makes you think that other people want it done to them .  That's one of the mottos I live by because I always feel as if I need multiple reminders of what I should and shouldn't be doing.

The Internet

The Internet is a rapidly growing web of information that more and more people are using. The Internet's rise has given voice to millions and millions of people. But you can communicate with millions at the push of a button on the internet. Anonymous websites like Reddit allow people to voice their opinions with little fear of their true identities being revealed. This is seen as a blessing more many and a curse for others. For those unfamiliar with the internet and even those who are, anonymity is a scary and unsettling thought. Having the ability to be anonymous online would protect the identity of the trolls who take advantage of the internet.The idea that millions of people can have can talk unfiltered without any accountability is both astounding and frightening.The lines between good and bad are blurred on anonymous websites, which makes investigations for crimes online difficult. Courts are finding it harder and harder to deal with cases against anonymous users. So my question is, what are the pros and cons of anonymous websites and how can the courts deal with crimes that are committed on them?

Remove Anonymity???

I believe we are entering a world where people have misused the freedom the Internet provides. We are able to surf and explore the Internet without having to expose our real identity, however, it seems that this luxury has been misused and has enabled trolls to harass and assault innocent victims. Sadly this issue is still apparent here in 2017, a culture of trolling has definitely emerged in the recent years, to the point where we are accustomed to it. We allowed online trolling to go and flourish by not effectively presenting a resolution we indirectly allowed it grow. I believe the act of dehumanizing others while being apparent as long as we continue to view and hurt unfavorable towards other and as a collective society we rise above the hate and actually reach a solution. It seems like anonymity should be provoked or readdressed because it seems to have to be misused in order to begin a campaign of online attacks that could cause immense physiological harm which may lead to someone ending their life too soon. For the sake of preventing the hatred online, we may need to revoke anonymity for all for a while in order to decrease "hate speech". By holding users to their identity then we may prevent and have online trolls think twice before posting a comment that was intended to hurt the feelings of others. - Bryan Tovar

Is Getting Rid of Net Neutrality Really In Our Best Interest?

The internet serve us in so many ways. Getting rid of net neutrality will slow down anything that requires the internet-- everything! Despite the many disadvantages it may have, it could potentially lead to better opportunities for us to disconnect and not be so dependent of technology. The idea is that companies will now start charging for using their programs(i.e. apps, websites). In a way, I think that this could really improve the way we socialize, given that our generation doesn't really do too much of that. That is assuming that people won't want to pay extra for all these resources. On the downside, however, I feel like those who depend solely on the internet for specific things might have no other choice but to pay the prices. For example, some people don't have the privilege to live together and might depend on FaceTime, Skype, and other internet programs to communicate, but that's not even the worst part. Education has also become extremely dependent on the internet. For example, I can't remember a day where I don't utilize the internet for an activity or assignment. Not to mention THIS BLOG!!! To be completely honest, I don't think that I would want to pay any money just to post this blog. Lastly, Ive come to know that college is basically completely dependent on the internet. So good luck to us right!

Is It Possible to Control The Number of Accounts A Person Can Make?

Is it possible to get rid of trolling when everyone is allowed to make as many accounts as they want for any social media account or online website. For example trolls usually have multiple accounts they use to practice there negative online activities, but people who do not practice trolling also have multiple accounts for certain things, like if you forget a password or other information some people tend to just make a new account. I recently realized that I have multiple email accounts for different things, and that was so surprising to me because having different email accounts is something that a troll would also have; although, I use my three different email accounts for online shopping, school related work, college applications, and not trolling. It made me think about if websites and social media site put restrictions on how many accounts a person could use it would not only affect trolls, but it would also affect regular people who use those sites for normal activities. Do you think that social media websites and online websites should restrict people from making multiple accounts to prevent the amount of online trolling and crime? Should everyone have to suffer from not being able to make multiple accounts to reduce trolling or should we countinue to allow people to make multiple accounts knowing that trolls take advantage of it?

-Tiara Taylor

Why Anonymity?

Anonymity is such a weird word to me, and the concept of anonymity is rather versatile. The reasons as to why most people are anonymous online, might give others a clear view why harassment and such things occur online. Even though most people don't know why or how it occurs, it still does. Anyone can be anonymous, by making a fake profile or even pretending to be someone they are not. People all over the world use the internet to troll others because they understand that its through a screen, and that most of the time you won't even know the other person. But I think to myself and ask why would you want to be cruel to others by shaming or harassing them? I personally don't understand, but I hope those who are cyber bullying others realize the harm that they may be bringing to others. I think online websites should intervene when cyber bullying is taking place, or else it will continue o be a problem. Which I understand might be hard to obtain all at once, but at least something something can be done to help control it.

Sticks and Stones

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. This childhood rhyme is meant to teach children that they shouldn't let words hurt them. Even though words do hurt, and can feel as though someone is throwing sticks and stones at them, don't let the trolling leave you with lasting pain. As we grow up it seems that some people have forgotten that words have the power to influence a person's thoughts and can change the way they feel about themselves. When trolls post online I assume they feel brave, knowing that they are anonymous. Although there are positives to anonymity, there is also major negatives for instance, trolling. The fact that the victim doesn't know who their tormentor is can leave them wondering if it's someone they know. Words have a positive or negative impact on a person's life, leaving a long term effect on how they feel about themselves as well as how they treat others. For example, when a troll calls their target stupid this can leave them feeling as though they are not good enough. Preventing them from accomplishing their goals because their self-esteem may have lowered. However, when you take the time out of your day to compliment someone your words have the power to make someones day, or even change the way they view themselves. When we are online we must think of others feelings, because you never know what a person maybe going through. We must remember that "what we say affects the world we live in" (Lindy West).