In our modern society, social media acts both as an information and opinion sharing platform; a space for people to both learn and educate others on topics that are ongoing in our society. However, in many authoritarian governments, such as those located in the countries North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, people have little-to-no access to the internet and social media, causing them to live in a world of disinformation and unintentional ignorance to important issues that must be addressed.

In many authoritarian governments, there is little that can be done to help those who are unable to have full access to information about both other countries and their own society. Authoritarian governments, such as that in North Korea, not only hide information from citizens but take pride in the fact that they have complete control over both the volume and type of information that is accessible to those residing in the country. One of the things that we can do while living in a country that allows for easy access to the internet and social media is both advocate and inform on the situations that occur within these governments.

As the United States is one of the greatest world powers, our government could work towards enticing governments to allow freer internet access by using trade, resources, and military incentives to encourage countries, if not minimally force them to un-restrict their internet and social media access. Many authoritarian countries not only hinder the ability of their citizens to gain rightful information but for those who are given internet access, the information is seriously censored, with only positive – and mainly false – stories about both the government and its leaders being visible to citizens. Many people are either unaware of what is happening to them in these countries, while others are content since they believe there is nothing they can do in order to change it.