INTRODUCTION
The 21st century is going down in history as the era of digital transformation and the explosion of information. While the internet was considered a luxury in the 1990s, today it is viewed as a basic right — as essential as access to food and shelter. Yet, paradoxically, in a time of immense technological advancement, there are still countries where the majority of the population either has no access to the internet or is subjected to heavy censorship. This article explores the countries that remain “digitally isolated” in the 21st century, the reasons behind this, and its consequences.
I. NORTH KOREA — A SYMBOL OF A CLOSED SYSTEM
North Korea is one of the few countries in the world where the internet does not exist for the general population. Only high-ranking officials and certain state institutions have access to a restricted intranet system called "Kwangmyong".
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Intranet, not Internet: The system accessible to ordinary citizens is completely disconnected from the global web.
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VPNs and secret communication: Occasionally, USBs and DVDs sent from South Korea serve as channels for outside information.
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Severe penalties: Attempting to access the internet is met with harsh punishment.
II. TURKMENISTAN — UNCHANGING AUTHORITARIAN ISOLATION
Turkmenistan, a Central Asian country rich in gas but poor in information freedom, is also notorious for internet restrictions. Its regime is centered on a cult of personality around the president:
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Independent media and social networks are blocked.
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Platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook are entirely banned.
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Mobile operators may block users for attempting to use VPNs.
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Officials claim that the internet “corrupts national values” and push citizens toward state-run platforms.
III. ERITREA — THE NORTH KOREA OF AFRICA
Eritrea is one of the most closed-off regimes in Africa. Ruled by a one-party system for over 30 years, internet access is also highly restricted:
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Only 1–2% of the population has internet access.
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Traditional media — such as radio and state-run newspapers — remain dominant.
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The flow of information beyond national borders is extremely rare.
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As a result, Eritrea is often referred to as "Africa’s North Korea."
IV. BELARUS, CHINA, IRAN — INTERNET WITH CENSORSHIP
In these countries, the internet exists technically, but it is tightly controlled and censored:
1. CHINA
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The “Great Firewall” blocks Google, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and more.
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Citizens are encouraged to use local alternatives such as Baidu, WeChat, and Weibo.
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The government uses real-time monitoring and a social credit system to regulate behavior.
2. IRAN
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Access to social media is limited and usually only possible via VPN.
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Theocratic leadership bans content that contradicts political or religious values.
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Periodic total internet shutdowns occur, especially during protests.
3. BELARUS
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Following the 2020 elections, internet censorship intensified under President Lukashenko.
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Telegram channels and independent news outlets are frequently blocked.
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A culture of fear and censorship dominates public discourse.
V. CONSEQUENCES OF BEING WITHOUT INTERNET: A SILENCED NATION
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Decline in education: When people are disconnected from the world, intellectual development stagnates.
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Lack of access to medical and technological services: Societies without information cannot benefit from modern tools.
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Loss of freedom and rights: Access to information is a fundamental human right.
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Brain drain: Many young people emigrate to seek freedom and opportunity.
VI. WHY DO AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES BLOCK THE INTERNET?
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To control the flow of information
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To prevent the spread of dissent and protests
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To create internal “immunity” against foreign influence
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To maintain power through monopoly over information
These motivations turn the internet into an ideological weapon in the hands of repressive regimes.
CONCLUSION: LACK OF INTERNET IS NOT JUST A TECHNICAL ISSUE, BUT A HUMAN ONE
In the 21st century, freedom of information is no longer just a right — it is the lifeblood of society. People deprived of the internet are not just cut off from technology, but from ideas, dialogue, and the chance to evolve. These societies are not trapped behind physical walls, but inside a digital silence.
This is why today we must defend the internet not as a technology, but as a symbol of human will and freedom. Because when the light goes out in a country, it’s not just the electricity that disappears — hope vanishes too.
QUESTIONS AND REFLECTIONS
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Should the internet be recognized as a fundamental human right in the 21st century? How can people in disconnected nations find their path to freedom?
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In societies where the flow of information is suppressed not by lack of technology but by fear, how can silence be broken?
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Share your thoughts: What global actions do you think are necessary to protect freedom of information?