The Internet: An endless digital wonderland where free speech and equality thrive (despite the Internet trolls, memes, porn sites and malware).

But, there may be trouble brewing in paradise. Recent developments have put net neutrality at risk, something that is paramount to the underlying infrastructure of the Internet and free speech.

You might be asking yourself, “What is ‘net neutrality?’ ” Simply put, it’s the idea that all websites and entities on the Internet are treated equally. And by equal, we mean that service providers such as Comcast and Verizon can’t discriminate against a website by lending it special bandwidth privileges, or hindering it with limitations.

Many Internet service providers (ISPs) argue they should have the freedom to regulate their services as they see fit. They claim they could provide additional valuable services to websites and consumers absent the need to dish out equal treatment. One of their “services” would be to provide faster access to popular websites such as Amazon, Netflix or HBO, at an extra cost.

What seems like a harmless business venture could open up a massive can of worms, however.

With that kind of power, service providers would be able to twist the arms of popular websites, making their sites have longer load times unless they were to pony up an additional fee. These providers claim it’s all in the pursuit of aiding the consumer and businesses, but we with giants such as Comcast, we know that’s not true. It’s a chase for more dollars.

If ISPs start charging websites more to maintain regular bandwidth, the people and firms who produce the content are sure to pass those expenses down to you in order to make up the difference. It could turn the Internet into a cable-like landscape, where you need to pay access fees for “special” websites on top of your Internet bill.

Some argue that a positive result of handing control to service providers would be giving underdog websites a chance to thrive. Since the big guys would be picked on (with higher charges), the little guys might gain a better online foothold, the theory goes.

However, this is still a terrible prospect. It would destroy the equality and constant push for innovation that defines the Internet, to date. Plus, it would actually discourage success, because those entities that thrive would be caught in the low-buffering net of service providers.

We at the Advocate believe that the Internet should not be in control of anyone, and that sentiment should never be budged or weakened, for anything.

Lately, one of the biggest threats to net neutrality has been Comcast, America’s largest Internet provider, and the recent announcement of plans to buy out its biggest competitor, Time Warner Cable. This is a huge merger because if the two entities did combine, Comcast would operate 30 percent of U.S. pay-TV services, and the Internet connections for nearly two-thirds of American homes.

What’s more, Comcast has signed an exclusive deal with Netflix to directly regulate its traffic and bandwidth (for an additional fee), rather than deal with middleman services. Netflix accounts for 30 percent of the Internet’s total traffic; so having someone in your pocket like that is a pretty huge leap.

ISPs such as Comcast would have a scary amount of control if U.S. telecommunications law swayed in their favor. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is currently struggling to combat this change. There have been laws preventing service providers from unfairly distributing web content, but Verizon has successfully challenged these rules. The FCC is currently in the works of crafting and releasing new regulations that could withstand such legal scrutiny, and is collecting public comments (at fcc.gov) before doing so.

Our voice is important in this matter. The FCC wants to hear from us. And, a recent study by Consumer Reports showed that 71 percent of people would switch Internet providers if theirs were to violate net neutrality. About 10 percent would quit the Internet entirely, the study found. Those kinds of responses can scare ISPs.

This is a hot debate that many people aren’t aware of. By the time enough people start talking about it, and taking action, it might be too late. So, let’s have our voices heard, loudly and collectively, and keep the net neutral.