Activity 01
Structured Academic Controversy: Net Neutrality Debate
Groups of four split into pairs, each pair assigned a position (pro-net neutrality vs. ISP autonomy). Each pair presents their strongest arguments, then switches and presents the other side. The group concludes by identifying the core tension they could not fully resolve and presenting it to the class.
Critique the arguments for and against net neutrality.
Facilitation TipDuring the Structured Academic Controversy, assign roles explicitly so students practice perspective-taking rather than rehearsing pre-existing opinions.
What to look forPose the following to students: 'Imagine you are advising a new internet service provider. What are the top two arguments you would make for or against adopting strict net neutrality policies, and why?' Facilitate a class debate where students defend their positions.
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Activity 02
Perspective Map: Who Governs the Internet?
Students receive a map of internet governance stakeholders (governments, ISPs, tech companies, civil society, users) and a list of policy decisions. In pairs, they assign each decision to the stakeholder group they think should have primary authority and justify their choices, then compare placements with another pair.
Analyze the potential impact of different internet governance models on users and businesses.
Facilitation TipWhen mapping stakeholders in the Perspective Map activity, provide a word bank of key terms like ISPs, regulators, and content providers to keep discussions focused.
What to look forAsk students to write on an index card: 'Name one specific internet service or application you use regularly. Explain how net neutrality (or its absence) could potentially affect your experience with that service or application.'
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Activity 03
Case Study Analysis: Throttling in the Wild
Students analyze three documented cases where ISPs throttled or prioritized specific traffic. Working in small groups, they determine whether each case violated net neutrality principles and what the consequences were for consumers, then present their findings with a recommendation.
Justify the importance of open access to information on the internet.
Facilitation TipFor the Case Study on Throttling in the Wild, assign each group a different real-world example to ensure varied evidence is shared with the class.
What to look forPresent students with two brief scenarios describing different internet governance approaches. Ask them to identify which scenario aligns more with a multi-stakeholder model and which aligns more with a government-controlled model, providing one reason for each choice.
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Activity 04
Gallery Walk: Global Internet Governance Models
Post descriptions of five countries' internet governance approaches around the room. Students annotate what freedoms users have, who controls infrastructure, and what tradeoffs each model involves, then vote on the model they find most aligned with principles of open access.
Critique the arguments for and against net neutrality.
Facilitation TipIn the Gallery Walk, post QR codes linking directly to governance documents so students can explore primary sources efficiently.
What to look forPose the following to students: 'Imagine you are advising a new internet service provider. What are the top two arguments you would make for or against adopting strict net neutrality policies, and why?' Facilitate a class debate where students defend their positions.
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Generate Complete Lesson→A few notes on teaching this unit
Experienced teachers approach this topic by grounding policy debates in students’ lived experiences with streaming, gaming, or social media. Avoid presenting the issue as a binary choice between regulation and freedom, as students benefit from seeing the technical and economic trade-offs involved. Research suggests that structured controversies help students develop informed skepticism, while case studies make abstract governance models tangible.
Students will demonstrate understanding by identifying key stakeholders in internet governance and explaining how net neutrality affects access to digital services. They will also articulate nuanced positions that balance technical, economic, and ethical considerations.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
During the Structured Academic Controversy, watch for students equating net neutrality with a lack of internet control.
Use the debate’s role cards to redirect students to the distinction between technical traffic management (net neutrality) and broader governance (internet regulation). Ask them to cite examples from their assigned stakeholder’s perspective.
During the Perspective Map activity, watch for students assuming censorship is the primary consequence of ending net neutrality.
Have students refer to the debate’s economic arguments about paid prioritization. Ask them to mark on their maps where censorship risks fit into the broader discussion of corporate control.
During the Gallery Walk, watch for students assuming the US governs the internet globally because it invented the technology.
Direct students to the international governance models displayed. Ask them to identify which bodies (e.g., ICANN, ITU) involve non-US stakeholders and explain the distributed nature of control.
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