Google claims that internet censorship is the same as international trade barriers. [Debate]

International trade barriers are the creation of political disputes and the failure to accept that the world is united in its purpose. International trade barriers are caused through the political divisions between the rich and the poor, which can also be noted as one of the economical aims of the United Kingdom; to close the gap between the rich and the poor. However, international trade barriers, some of which are the cause of the likes of the United Kingdom, prevent such aims from being met and thus should be considered a disadvantage to society and technology's advances into the modern era, also leading to third world countries becoming disheartened at the lack of support.

Internet censorship, on the other hand, should be considered a necessity to protect the world's children, some of whom do not understand the meaning of such graphic images which are found on some websites. Without Internet censorship, child pornography would be on the rise due to the lack of statements, one of which is known as the US 2257 statement which states all models have agreed to such photographs and films and are of legal age to perform as such. Internet censorship is protecting the views and beliefs of others, which without it, would lead to racial hatred, gender discrimination and an anarchistic use of the Internet.

The two are quite different, as Internet censorship is used to protect others whilst international trade barriers are a disadvantage to society. Internet censorship leads others to feel safe, both for their children and themselves whilst international trade barriers lead to a further gap between the rich and the poor, used quite often to show the power that a country has above another and could be perceived as a form of dictatorship in the control of goods, money and people themselves.

This, however, is but one side of the argument. Internet censorship, as used in some countries, leads to a totalitarian society where free thought and free speech are abandoned in place of a dictatorship. Internet censorship can lead others to be at a disadvantage because their opinions are being disregarded because of the implied meaning and also prevents a lack of development in the mind because of blocked images and texts. In strict Muslim countries, Internet censorship could be used to prevent members of the public viewing Christian texts and thus leads to a form of dictatorship, as seen in previous years under the reign of Saddam Hussein.

A similar argument remains with international trade barriers. Without such barriers, both arms and people could be transported from one country to the next without question, leading to an increase in slavery and terrorism. Countries such as North Korea would have access to radioactive material, which some would argue, would be considered immoral as would trading arms with a known terrorist country. Trade barriers also mean that there is a decrease in wars because of lack of arms dealerships and a decrease in slavery, which continues to happen in some countries.

I, however, believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of Internet censorship and that the implied meaning of Internet censorship is to protect others, whether that is with the censorship of pornographic material or simple forms such as the US 2257 form. It should be noted that international trade barriers have an economic effect upon the world which far outweighs the social effects of Internet censorship and as such, it is not the same.

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