Regulating the Internet

Millions of Americans are now a click of the “mouse” away from instantly joining a worldwide computer communication network. But the age of the Internet has brought society more than the fruits of faraway knowledge, new business opportunities and round-the-clock entertainment. It has also stirred up thorny legal and ethical questions surrounding crime detection, sexual mores, free speech, copyright protection and socio-economic status. Not surprisingly, radically different ways to meet the challenges of the technological revolution have been proposed. Some argue for dramatic changes in laws and customs to accommodate the digital era. Others say existing structures can be adapted. Still others say the “Wild West” anarchy in which the world computer network grew up will make it impossible to tame.