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Net Neutrality - What is it? Why does it matter?

Before you take a side in this great debate you should gather the facts.

Since he was old enough to hit the keys, Hunter has used the Internet almost every day. He exchanged emails with his grandparents. He played fun games online that helped him learn his numbers and letters. Now he uses it to communicate with his friends and family. His friends include five kids in Australia who share his interests in reptiles and online gaming. Hunter has heard that the neutrality of the Internet is threatened. He has come to you for help.

Net Neutrality video and information on PBS | Research Net Neutrality @CNET | Net Neutrality @ Google

Watch - "The Communicators", the Center for American Progress hosts "The Great Debate: What is Net Neutrality?" Vinton G. Cerf, Google, V.P. & Chief Internet Evangelist and Dave Farber, Carnegie Mellon University, Distinguished Career Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy debate the issue of net neutrality RealMedia

1. How do people gain access to the Internet in your community?

 

 

2. How do you use the Internet?

 

 

3. Who "owns" the Internet infrastructure?

 

 

4. How is access to resources on the Internet being limited?

 

 

5. Describe an event where people or a business actually controlled other people's free exchange of information via the Internet.

 

 

Did the business act ethically and within its rights or did they abuse it?

 

Consider the following:

Does the post office treat each letter equally?

 

Does the post office limit or control what people can mail?

 

Do shipping companies treat each package equally?

 

When you make a call, does/should the phone company control what you can say or whom you can call?

 

Should the Internet be metered like water and electricity are today?

 

When should traffic on the Internet be controlled?

 

Who controls the traffic on the Internet?

 

Should the ISP be required to notify the customer if it is limiting the content of emails?

 

Will we learn from history- President Theodore Roosevelt and the Hepburn Act of 1906?

 

Much has been given us, and much will rightfully be expected from us.
We have duties to others and duties to ourselves; and we can shirk neither. Theodore Roosevelt 1905
"The fate of the cyber commons is up for grabs here," he said. "We'll lose that fight without you
because the only antidote to the power of money in Washington is the power of organized people at the netroots. Bill Moyers, National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis, June 7, 2008.

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2008 Cynthia O'Hora All rights reserved. Posted 6/2008

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