1st Place, Pro-Con Opinion Columns
2023-24, Division 2, News Writing
By Hailey Deitsch & Danielle Wallace
Update
H. H. Dow HS
Pro: Sharing accounts with others helps save money
Streaming services can be expensive, which is why some people choose to share passwords with family or close friends. Whether they choose to split the cost, or one person will pay for one streaming service and another will pay for a different streaming service, password sharing is a more beneficial option overall. That is, as long as the person the password is shared with is trusted.
“[Password sharing] benefits me because I can use streaming platforms that my family doesn’t have without having to pay,” said sophomore Tessa Wood.
Many streaming services, like Netflix, are taking a stand against their users who share passwords. According to insiderintelligence.com, 45 percent of users that share an account with another person would definitely not get their own account if they got kicked out from their password sharing account. Another 28 percent are unsure. At the end of the day Netflix is more likely to end up losing money rather than gaining because the majority of their password sharing users just aren’t willing to pay $15.49 a month for one streaming service.
A benefit of sharing a password is that many streaming services have original shows and movies, like “Outer Banks” that can only be streamed on Netflix, or the popular “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on Amazon Prime. If someone wants to watch just one show or movie that is only available on one specific platform, they could ask someone they know to “borrow” their password for a period of time and watch the show free of cost.
A great part of sharing passwords is that it beats the alternative of people choosing to use an illegal website to watch a show or movie instead of paying. Using illegal websites could lead to getting viruses on the device or even go as far as getting fined by the government.
Con: Potential inconveniences
There might come some disadvantages to password sharing. One could share their password with a friend or significant other, and the next day they might have an disagreement and one of them would still be using the account for free. Then one is stuck going through the hassle of changing a password which in-turn runs the risk of forgetting it.
“I shared my Spotify with my friend because I have Spotify premium and he didn’t,” senior Chloe Marsh said, “He ruined my Spotify [playlists] because [he had] very different tastes in music.”
Not only could it lead to personal complications, for some streaming sites like HBO Max and Hulu, sharing passwords violates the terms of service. Hulu has recently cracked down on account sharing by only allowing two devices to be watching at the same time and only profiles on the account. Similarly, Netflix only allows two devices streaming at the same time but will allow users to pay extra for more devices being able to stream at once. This being said, password sharing could potentially lead to paying more or not being able to watch when one wants to due to the device limit.
“I share it with just family, strictly family” junior Amelia Urlaub said, “I have shared it because my dad needed to get into the Hulu account.”
Whether someone shares with just their family members or trust their passwords to anyone, there are always drawbacks that come with password sharing. Not being able to watch a show because there are too many screens streaming is just one of them. In the end it’s up to personal preference to share a password or not.
NW-10. Pro-Con Opinion Columns
Each entry must:
- have two (2) columns, each written by a different author, that express opposing viewpoints on one topic.
- show the two columns as a package, allowing readers to view both at the same time. Columns appearing in print should be published adjacent to each other on the same or opposing pages; columns appearing online should link prominently to each other or appear on the same webpage.
- have both columns submitted together in the same entry form
- have a standing head that indicates the pro/con nature of the package
- carry bylines or other writer identification to indicate the personal opinion nature of the content
Judging Criteria
- Topics relevant to interests and/or welfare of school or students
- Two pieces, while offering opposing views, are consistent in style and tone
- Both pieces win reader interest with compelling leads
- Present evidence/interpretation in logical sequence
- State issue; uses effective examples, facts and comparisons to clarify
- Deal with specific issue; avoids preaching, rhetoric and clichés
- Show sufficient thought and knowledge of subject, developed with personal style
- Sentences, paragraphs of varied length; written clearly, concisely and vividly
- Proper diction/grammar