Internet Freedoms

The use of the internet to evade the government is truly inspiring. The internet and social media have been used to stage many protests and to spread ideas. Even with a government crackdown on Iranian internet usage, the youth of Iran will continue to make themselves heard. The internet is way too big for the Iranian government to control and censor. Although the government may shut down or block access to some sites, there will always be another site for the youth to express their ideas on. Technology and social networking will help to spread ideas about how the people believe Iran should be run. It will allow citizens with the same views to band together and become a more powerful political voice. As after the 2009 elections, protests will be easy to stage. Protests organized over the internet will show the Iranian government how the people feel. It could also lead to policy changes. When the rest of the world sees that most of the Iranian people do not agree with their government, foreign policy procedures might be handled differently. Countries will realize that it is not the people and culture of Iran but the government with whom they have problems with. Iran's attempt to control internet use causes me to feel more strongly toward internet freedoms. The people of Iran do not have the same freedom of speech rights that we do here in the U.S.. The internet is the only way for most Iranian people to express themselves and say what they really feel. This should not be taken away from them. Social media sites and the internet are driving forces in Iranian resistance toward their government.