In the United States, every child, teenager, and adult regularly uses Wikipedia, YouTube, and Facebook, among many other sites. The internet is open and mostly uncensored, with the exception of parental controls. In China, most, if not all, of these types of sites are or have been blocked. Indeed, you couldn't access it unless you found a way to bypass the web filters and firewalls that the Chinese government uses in its country. While China defends its practice of Internet censorship, based on the "protection" of the people, heavy Internet censorship constitutes an obstacle to freedom of expression and hinders economic and social development in the 21st century. China says it has its reasons for censoring its Internet. Wang Chen, Minister of the State Council Information Office, defends China's position by saying: "There is an ever-increasing need to 'guide public opinion' on the Chinese Internet. (McCabe) The government's reasoning is the prevalence of pornography, fraud, and "rumour." He also states that this is something the Chinese people want. China has already taken steps to control the Internet. In July 2009, China cut off Internet and mobile phone services in much of Xinjiang province in response to civil unrest that the government said was organized over the Internet. Paul Mozur (International Herald Tribune reporter) says: “Unplugging the Internet for 20 million of its citizens is not just bad policy, it is a violation of human rights. » To this end, China recently introduced new regulations. China has introduced new regulations that require anyone wanting to host a website to meet in person with government officials and provide identification. Reporters without borders, freedom of expression...... middle of paper......ica. January 21, 2010. The web. March 15, 2010. .Anonymous. “Internet censorship is at an unprecedented level.” Proquest. February 24, 2010. The web. March 15, 2010. .Mackinnon, Rebecca and John Palfrey. "Review: Censorship Inc. - Newsweek.com." Newsweek - National news, world news, health, technology, entertainment and more... - Newsweek.com. News week. Internet. March 19, 2010. McCabe, Aileen. "China defends internet censorship after Google threat." Canada.com. Canwest News Service, January 15, 2010. Web. March 15, 2010. .Mozur, Paul. “China’s Self-Destructive Censorship.” Proquest. February 16, 2010. The web. March 15, 2010. .Riley, Duncan. “Why should you be afraid of internet censorship in Australia, even if you don't live there.” The Next Web. The Next Web, February 5, 2010. Web. March 15. 2010. .