To think access to the Internet should be free?

[PassingStranger]

Why do we have to pay something that we all need to use now.
Should Internet be free?

Does anyone remember in it's infancy you paid a subscription and for dealing up too. It might have been so much a minute?

It's such a big part of our life now. Even benefits have to be claimed online?

This. We also need housing should they be free to!?

As for funding, taxes.

So not free, then. In fact, an added layer of bureaucracy to add to the cost.

It's a laudable idea, but we have to pay for lots of life's essentials.

We all need food and water (more than internet access even!) but we still have to pay for them.

Housing
Food/water
Gas/electricity
Medical attention if needed
Prescriptions
Dental treatment
Sanitary products
Baby formula
Childcare
School trips
Diesel/petrol
Train travel
Bus fares
Are all things that I would prefer to be 'free' rather than the Internet/WiFi. If taxpayer's money was to be used (and lets face it that's what free means!) I think their are things far higher up the list than £20 per months worth of Internet use.

YABU
Lots of things are essential, such as food and water... and they are not free.

Please read my post properly. There's an article by Birmingham University to make the Internet a human right

I read your post properly. You didn't mention, let alone post a link, to an article by UoB.

What do you think about the points posters have made about how water, food, electricity and shelter have to be paid for?

Here's the link to the paper;
https://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/75399968/The_Human_Right_to_Free_Internet_Access_final_.pdf

In the past when people spoke of freedom to access the internet, they meant freedom of speech. Its the job of politicians to uphold freedom and human rights. In this day and age its very telling that they are things we still have to fight for.

I believe the article is referring to ability to access WiFi such as in shopping centres, community centres, libraries etc not have it installed in everyone's home for free!

McDonald's has free internet doesn't it? You might need to buy a burger or coffee though!

Or go to Wetherspoons and get a tea/coffee (unlimited refills) and stay for hours enjoying their free Wifi.

Isn't the article referring to the fact that 1/3 of the global population doesn't have internet access rather than Joe Bloggs in England shouldn't pay for his broadband?

www.statista.com/statistics/617136/digital-population-worldwide/#:~:text=As%20of%20October%202024%2C%20there,population%2C%20were%20social%20media%20users.