Whether it be larger issues like cybersecurity and terrorism or a more personal issue such as monitoring our children’s online activity, the tension between freedom and security is always present. In this discussion, you will share one of your experiences with freedom and security, and you will examine the experiences of your classmates. Reflect on your experiences with freedom and security in a personal or professional setting and write 2-3 paragraphs where you: Discussion - Freedom and Security in Real Life Discussion – Freedom and Security in Real Life (1) describe your experience (2) tell how the experience impacted your perspective on freedom and security (3) demonstrate the grammar and writing skills covered in the previous weeks. Here are a few things you might consider when writing your response: How are your experiences the same or different? What do you think is the source of any similarities or differences between your and your classmate’s experiences with freedom and s

Discussion – Freedom and Security in Real Life

My personal experience with freedom and security involves the use of the internet. As a teenager, I always wanted to have my personal space where I could do whatever I wanted without any form of supervision. I would shut myself in my room, sometimes with my friends, to read, watch, chat, or play video games and any other activities that would be pleasing to us. However, my parents were very strict when it came to the use of social media. They were afraid that I would get addicted or be prone to online sexual predators since I had started withdrawing from face-to-face interactions with them. My mother began to monitor my social media use. There were incidents of cyberbullying and individuals who would use the internet to lure young males or females into meeting them. Such individuals would never be found again or be found dead or in a poor physical state. My mother was worried that such a thing might happen to me and, hence, decided to monitor my internet activities to ensure my security. I felt that my freedom had been infringed on.

My experience made me realize that having the right balance between freedom and security can be really difficult. As Americans, we tend to place a lot of emphasis on our freedom, but this, more often than not, risks our safety. For instance, when the government chooses to spy on people’s calls, texts or conversations in order to find any threats against our security, individuals become highly infuriated, citing an infringement on their rights and freedom. At the same time, individuals also demand that the government ensure their security. It becomes quite difficult for the government to do so without infringing on the rights and freedom of its citizens. It is the same way that it would have been difficult for my parents to ensure my security without necessarily infringing on my freedom. Educating me on such issues would have worked for me, but it would probably not have been enough to prevent me from falling prey to people who lure teenagers online and rape, kill or introduce them to prostitution