The internet is a wild and wonderful place, full of information and jam-packed with entertainment. However, there are reaches that aren’t available to certain users – and there are those that shouldn’t be available to others. That’s the subject of today’s article as we perform a deep dive on the key takeaways that we emerged with after looking at the ultimate website blocklist.
While a look at BlockSite will tell you about the data behind the list – as well as how to block certain sites yourself- our article summarises what this says about us and how we use the internet in 2024 in ten concise points.
1. Social Media Dominates the Digital Landscape
As if anyone will be surprised to see social media sites so high on this list. Frequently among the most blocked sites in the world, the likes of Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are often targeted by specific governments who don’t necessarily like the way in which they help the spread of communication. From that point of view, social media can seem liberating.
However, from the perspective of those who have blocked social media sites themselves, they’re tools for procrastination, with hours of the day going by looking at newsfeeds and exchanging messages with people on a non-stop basis.
2. Adult Content Remains a Contentious Issue
A lot of adult content websites made the top 100, showing the prevalence of this type of content online. Not every nation allows unrestricted access to adult content, often blocking it on moral or religious grounds. In a way, parents are a form of government in the household and also protect their children from this content, explaining why these sites are so high on the blocklist.
What’s more, addictions to adult content are on the rise, so many people trying to combat that are also likely blocking these sites to put barriers in place that make it harder to access.
3. Entertainment Streaming Services Face Barriers
Multiple popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ also appear the list, although further down. It gives an idea of the level of censorship around the world when it comes to forms of entertainment. The reasons for these restrictions are often related to the content itself but also extend to licensing issues and other challenges. The streaming revolution changed the way in which we consume media and posed challenges to local industries. Blocking certain platforms is a way for affected countries to combat against them.
4. Gaming Platforms Cause Concern
Any parent who’s argued with their child over how much time they’re spending playing Fortnite, knows how addictive these games and platforms can be for the young people playing them. Often, parents make deals to play for a certain amount of time, and that might mean blocking access to Twitch for a few hours per day, if not outright. Governing bodies are also becoming increasingly concerned with the nature of these games, particularly when it comes to in-app purchases, and are taking steps to restrict access.
5. Even Educational and Productivity Tools Aren’t Immune
It might surprise you to see sites like LinkedIn and Chess.com appear on the list. Even Wikipedia has made it on there. Given that these sites are used primarily for educational or professional purposes, one wouldn’t think banning them would be necessary. Yet, their inclusions suggest that they may have been victims of collateral damage stemming from broader internet restrictions, especially those focused on the spread of certain types of information.
6. News and Information Sources Face Scrutiny
As we were saying, the spread of information faces challenges around the globe. That’s why you’ll find the presence of sites like the BBC and The New York Times on this list. Although they’re among the most popular news sources in the English-speaking world, their reach may be blocked somewhat by powers concerned about the influence of foreign media. Although many readers of this piece will be able to view news outlets from around the world, the same privilege isn’t afford to everyone.
7. Messaging and Communications Platforms are Targeted
Communications platforms like WhatsApp and Discord feature on the list, which indicates a few different things. From a micro level, these tools can pose challenges to productivity, making them obvious candidates for blocking, at least temporarily. On a macro level, these peer-to-peer communication tools are habitually viewed as potential threats. These platforms provide private, encrypted communication, making them powerful tools for free expression.
8. User-Generated Content Platforms Raise Concerns
Similarly to the other social sites mentioned so far, sites that host user-generated content, such as Tumblr and DeviantArt, have also made it onto the blocklist. Partly, cultural reasons could be behind this, with certain parts of society unhappy with the forms of expression on these sites. Given that these platforms are full of alternative art content, a lot of the ideas expressed and shared can verge on the explicit, if not intentionally offensive, making them inappropriate spaces for underage users.
9. E-Commerce Isn’t Always Welcome
It’s intriguing to see sites like Amazon and Etsy appear on the list. Although governmental internet restrictions may play a part in this, it’s likelier that their inclusions is based on people blocking it to help combat urges to shop. Retail therapy is more popular than ever, and ordering something on a whim, to arrive before you know it, is not uncommon. We can imagine a lot of users blocking these sites for those reasons, as well as to keep younger members of the family from shopping without consent.
10. The Diversity of Blocked Content Reflects Global Complexity
It’s hard not to come away from reading the list and not feel struck by its sheer diversity. Every type of site you can imagine seems to make an appearance on there, from the outwardly hostile to the seemingly harmless. It shows that if a site becomes popular enough, reasons may be found to restrict access to it. It’s a fascinating glimpse of how the world interacts with the internet. Go and read the full list to get a more complete picture.
