If you are active on social media, odds are you’ve seen a tweet or two about net neutrality while scrolling through your feed. But do you know what net neutrality means?

   Since the internet was created in the early 90’s, it has been a free and open space with few limitations on streaming. The internet was believed to be one of the last platforms that isn’t completely controlled by big businesses, but that could all change.

   Large internet provider services such as Verizon and Comcast want to make changes to the current United State’s net neutrality policy in place. These providers want to take money from online companies, and in exchange offer them faster streaming services.

   The internet has always been a place of opportunity, because of the numerous Cinderella stories of small startups becoming some of the most popular sites on the web, but with the new proposed net neutrality policies, this could become a thing of the past.

   “I don’t like it and I don’t think it’s fair to smaller companies,” freshman Elizabeth Vazarewski said.

   Many people are outraged by this proposal because they don’t want their scrolling and funny cat video watching to become regulated by the government. People are also fearing that if this policy gets passed, then it opens the door to further interference by the government and businesses with internet streaming.

   “I like to watch free stuff on the internet I don’t understand why someone would want to keep that from us it doesn’t really make any sense to me,” sophomore Jacob Thomas said.

   The FCC will vote on the net neutrality issue on December 14th, and although the cause seems hopeless to many, there is still more that the American people can do to save the free and open internet. There are many online petitions set up to share your opinion with the FCC, and contact your congressmen to help them make their decision.

   “I’ve already called like three senators, and all the inboxes were full because a lot of people were calling,” sophomore Matthew Attisha said.

   Whether you support net neutrality or not, it’s almost impossible to ignore the outcry of the people who are trying their best to save their internet, and the passion and sense of community is very inspiring.