To quote from Google, the literal definition is: “the principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.”
Essentially, net neutrality is what keeps the internet a level playing field for all who are able to access it and use it for all different purposes–these purposes could be simply browsing the web, streaming videos, making online purchases, using tumblr, twitter, facebook, instagram, snapchat, skype, whatsapp, youtube, or bigger things like starting your own company, having a website for your art portfolio, using online schooling, starting up an etsy shop, etc. Having net neutrality remain in place will give everyone an equal opportunity to use all of these sites and an equal opportunity to be successful when using the internet as a business platform.
If net neutrality is repealed, big cable companies like verizon, comcast, at&t, etc. will require either you or the websites you currently have access to to pay THEM (the big cable companies) significantly more money per site to be put in a “fast lane” connection so that you can access those sites with ease, leaving other sites that can’t afford to pay these huge fees left in an enormous shadow and requiring you to pay even MORE out of pocket just to access things you’ve always been able to.
Net neutrality is incredibly important. Some people are brushing it off as if it won’t be a big deal, but the entire principle of the internet is to be a level playing field and for everyone, no matter who you are, to have the exact same access as anyone else. Requiring you to pay fees for the sites you visit daily will be an incredible detriment to the ideal of freedom on the internet.
Please do not take this subject lightly, it is incredibly important.
Also please remember that if net neutrality is repealed, it is NOT the end. We still have to remain fighting for internet freedom. And if we win this first battle there WILL be more to come.
Here’s some more links to help: