When Volunteering Isn’t Voluntary

This was originally posted on PoodleRose on July 23, 2013. Comments have not been migrated.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has called on internet service providers in Britain to limit access to internet porn sites in an effort to “protect our children and their innocence.” CNN.com reports that “service providers and other Web companies are participating voluntarily.” But this “voluntary” participation is  being motivated by veiled threats.

Cameron “has called Google and other search companies into meetings, demanding they do more to hide porn from children… [emphasis added].” When a government official–let alone the Prime Minister–makes a demand, there is a clear implication. And the implication is: or else. And the “or else” means edicts and prohibitions. There is nothing voluntary about the reaction of the internet companies.

Like many politicians, Cameron is presenting his coercive agenda under the guise of protecting children. Besides perverts and pedophiles, who could possibly be opposed to protecting children from smut peddlers? Unfortunately, it is under the banner of protecting children that adults often “voluntarily” sacrifice their freedom.