Book banning is a controversial practice with significant implications for society, culture, and individual freedoms. Here are key reasons why it is generally considered harmful:

1. Violation of Freedom of Expression

• Book banning infringes on the fundamental right to free speech and expression. It limits authors' ability to share their ideas and perspectives and denies readers the opportunity to access diverse viewpoints.

2. Censorship and Control

• Banning books is a form of censorship that often reflects the preferences of those in power. It can suppress minority voices, controversial ideas, or critical thinking that challenges the status quo, leading to a less informed and less free society.

3. Limiting Education and Growth

• Books expose readers to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives. Banning them restricts intellectual growth and critical thinking, depriving individuals of the opportunity to learn and form their own opinions.

4. Suppressing Diversity and Inclusion

• Many banned books address topics like race, gender, sexuality, and inequality. Removing these books from shelves can silence marginalized communities and erase their experiences from public discourse.

5. Encouraging Fear and Ignorance

• Book banning often arises from fear of challenging or uncomfortable subjects. This approach fosters ignorance and inhibits meaningful dialogue about important but difficult issues.

6. Historical Precedents of Oppression

• History shows that banning books is frequently associated with authoritarian regimes that aim to control knowledge and suppress dissent. Examples include Nazi Germany's book burnings or censorship in totalitarian states.

7. Counterproductive Outcomes

• Banning a book often draws more attention to it, increasing its readership. This phenomenon, known as the Streisand Effect, undermines the purpose of the ban and can make the censorship seem arbitrary or absurd.

8. Undermining Trust in Institutions

• When governments, schools, or libraries ban books, it can erode public trust in these institutions, making people question their fairness, inclusivity, and commitment to freedom.

In essence, book banning limits access to knowledge, silences diverse voices, and undermines the foundational principles of free thought and expression, which are essential for a thriving, democratic society.

There is a different between a book banned and book challenge as below: