A popular buzzword to describe the
Internet,
bulletin board services,
online services, and other services that enable people to obtain information from
telecommunications networks. In the U.S., there is currently a national debate about how to shape and control these avenues of information. Many people believe that the information highway should be designed and regulated by government, just like conventional highway systems. Others argue that government should adopt a more
laissez faire attitude. Nearly everyone agrees that accessing the information highway is going to be a normal part of everyday life in the near future.