-CENSORSHIP-

Censorship has had an important role in media, on TV and in films for a long time. 

It is used in order to protect underage civilians and the vulnerable people in society who may be affected by explicit content. 

There are many ways in which content can get censored. These include water shedding, the ban of explicit scenes being broadcasted on the television before a certain time of the evening. Another example of censorship is beeping out swear words or inappropriate language, this is usually done on radios, especially during the daytime when the likelihood of people sensitive to explicit content is increased. 

There are many more examples of censorship we are protected by everyday. 

Limits and restrictions on what some people can search up and see is all censorship too. 

Censorship is all about deciding on what people can or can not see at certain times, based on opinion of how dangerous it may be, or how sensitive people may be to it. 

Over time, there has been small controversy on whether censorship is a good or bad idea. I personally think it is a good idea because it protects vulnerable members of society and also prevents the risk of them, especially children, being influenced to act a certain way or do a certain thing that they should not be doing or knowing of. In the current era, we are constantly surrounded by media, we live in a digital world full of phones, tablets, televisions and magazines. This itself shows that media plays a big role in our lifestyle and also strongly influenced choices we make on a daily bases, even if it is subconsciously. Because of how much access we have to the internet, the chances of citizens being exposed to material such as pornography, violence, drug use or abuse, gambling etc. is very high. This content can be damaging to children and other vulnerable people of the world. Therefore, censorship allows these people to go online in a good manor, without risk of entering a non safe zone.

Age ratings on films are a type of censorship because they express the level of adult content is in the film and therefore allows the viewer to know what they can expect in the film and know if they are prepared to see it. It also prevents children from viewing films involving content they shouldn't be exposed to at such a young age. This then becomes their parents or guardians responsibility to ensure they do not watch it. Same regards to gaming. Thousands of children across the world play online gaming, whether it be on a playstation, Xbox or PC. All of these can have highly explicit graphics in them including drugs, violence, sex and more, especially violence. Ratings are also put on games for the same reasons as films, and again the responsibility is then down to the parent or guardian to ensure their child is safe with what they are playing. 

Over the years, restrictions and bans on indecent exposure have become stronger. Even books have been banned. A prime example would be the book 'Naked lunch' by William S. Burroughs. It was banned due to the language used in the book and other controversial matters. Although I agree with censorship and the blocking or banning of adult nature, I don't think this book should have been banned. I think it should have just got given a rating the same way films and games are. Furthermore, I think if some books, such as the one I mentioned, are going to banned, others should too. 50 Shades of Grey is a huge seller across the UK and U.S. This book contains the extreme exploration of sex and s&m. 

I think that people who decide to read it should know what kind of nature they are going to be exposed to and therefore make up their own mind if they want to read it or not. It is another case if someone who should not be reading such an explicit book gets hold of it accidentally, but that is where responsibilities get involved. 

I think the most dangerous access to dangerous content is the Internet because although what is searched in can get monitored and certain sites can have blockage on them, it is the most uncontrolled type of media. What is published in a magazine or shown in a programme is completely under control of producers who know what they are publishing and are also careful with it because it could put their company at jeopardy if they produce something involving exploitation without warning or without being careful with it. The Internet does not have this extent of protection because anyone can access, post and publish anything they want. These people can include mentally disturbed or issued people who are trying to influence dangerous messages or disgusting content. 

Although I think the Internet is dangerous and very risky, I know there is nothing that could be done to prevent certain things ever being posted. Therefore I agree with Internet regulations and site blocks on sites with an adult nature.

Overall I agree that censorship is useful and safe option and should be encouraged by all types of media. Certain content can scar some people and therefore we as a community of people who use the Internet, watch TV and watch films on a daily bases should be considerate to what we exploit to certain people.