A Troubling Trend

For as long as I can remember, the United States has worn its reputation as the land of the free like a badge of honor. But lately, I find myself wondering—how free are we, really? It seems like every day, there’s a new restriction, a new rule, a new limit placed on what we can say, what we can learn, what kind of medical care we can access, and even what we can read.

It’s hard to ignore the pattern. Education, healthcare, and even the internet itself—things that should empower us—are becoming battlegrounds. So today, I want to talk about a few things that have been on my mind. Not just because they matter to me, but because they affect all of us in ways we might not even realize.

Censorship and Control

1. Who Controls What Our Kids Learn?

It’s no secret that schools have always been a reflection of the society around them. But lately, it feels like they’ve become the frontline in a political war over what’s "appropriate" to teach.

Take Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act—or as many call it, the “Don’t Say Gay” law. It states:

"Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

Sounds official, right? But here’s the problem: what does “age-appropriate” mean? Who decides what is and isn’t okay to discuss? Because the way this law is written, teachers are so afraid of violating it that they’re just avoiding certain topics altogether. Kids with same-sex parents don’t see their families represented in the classroom. History lessons gloss over important movements. And students who might be questioning their own identities are left feeling isolated.

And it’s not just Florida. Texas passed House Bill 3979, which limits discussions on race and historical injustices. The law says:

“A teacher may not be compelled to discuss a particular current event or widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs.”

Which sounds fine—until you realize that “controversial” is a moving target. In some places, just talking about racism, climate change, or even certain historical events can get a teacher in trouble. And when schools start avoiding topics out of fear, kids miss out on learning the full picture of the world around them.

Sources:

Florida House of Representatives. (2022). Parental Rights in Education Act (HB 1557). Retrieved from Florida House
Texas Legislature. (2021). Texas House Bill 3979. Retrieved from Texas Legislature Online

2. The Internet Is Changing—And Not for the Better

The internet used to feel like a place where you could find anything. But lately, governments and corporations are working together to change that.

Right now, the Supreme Court is reviewing a Texas law that requires websites to verify a user’s age before they can access certain content. Supporters say it’s about keeping kids safe from inappropriate material. And sure, that sounds reasonable at first glance.

But here’s the catch. According to The Times (2025):

“State officials claim that without strict verification, children are being exposed to explicit content at an alarming rate, leading to negative psychological effects.”

On the other hand, critics warn that these laws could be the first step toward more digital surveillance. If you have to provide government ID to access certain sites, that information could be tracked. Who’s storing it? Who has access to it? And what happens when these laws expand beyond adult content and start applying to political discussions, news, or anything deemed "inappropriate"?

“Opponents argue that such requirements could pave the way for further internet censorship and surveillance, leading to greater restrictions on digital freedom.”

We’ve seen this before in other countries. Once the door to digital control opens, it’s hard to close it again.

Source:

The Times. (2025). US Supreme Court to Review Texas Law on Online Age Verification. Retrieved from The Times

3. The Fight Over Healthcare for Trans Youth

Across the U.S., states are pushing laws that ban gender-affirming healthcare for minors. These laws block access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and even mental health resources for transgender youth.

The people behind these bans say they’re protecting children. But the American Medical Association (2024) warns:

“By restricting access to medically approved treatments, these laws put transgender youth at increased risk of mental health challenges, including depression and suicide.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (2023) backs this up:

“Medical decisions regarding gender dysphoria are made with input from doctors, mental health professionals, and parents. Blanket bans remove that decision-making power and place it in the hands of politicians.”

If this were about protecting kids from irreversible choices, then why do these same states allow teenagers to get plastic surgery, go on certain medications, or even be tried as adults in court? It’s not about safety—it’s about control.

Sources:

American Medical Association. (2024). Statement on the Importance of Gender-Affirming Care. Retrieved from AMA
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Guidelines on Gender-Affirming Care for Adolescents. Retrieved from AAP

4. Book Bans Are Back

Did you ever think we’d be living in a time where books are being banned in America again? Because that’s exactly what’s happening.

Across the country, schools are pulling books from shelves—books that discuss race, LGBTQ+ identities, and historical injustices.

According to PEN America (2024):

“Book bans have increased by 33% in the last year, with many targeted books focusing on LGBTQ+ themes or racial justice.”

The American Library Association (2024) warns:

“Censorship of books is not about protecting children; it is about controlling what ideas and perspectives are accessible to the public.”

If we start deciding that certain books shouldn’t be read, where does it stop?

Sources:

PEN America. (2024). Banned in the USA: Rising Book Censorship in Schools. Retrieved from PEN America
American Library Association. (2024). Most Challenged Books Report. Retrieved from ALA

Where Does This End?

Every one of these issues—education restrictions, online censorship, medical bans, and book removals—are symptoms of a much larger problem: increasing governmental overreach and ideological control.

“Freedom doesn’t disappear overnight. It is taken away piece by piece, under the guise of ‘protecting’ people.”

If we don’t stand against censorship and control now, we may wake up in a country where personal choice is a thing of the past.

Final Thoughts

I don’t care what side of the political spectrum you’re on. If you believe in freedom, then you should be paying attention. Because today, it’s certain groups being targeted. Tomorrow, it could be you.

What do you think? Have you noticed these changes where you live? Let’s talk about it.