The Internet can be colloquially interpreted to mean the community of Internet users. The isn't necessarily the same as society in general, and for the purpose

The Internet can be colloquially interpreted to mean the community of Internet users. The isn't necessarily the same as society in general, and for the purpose of argument, it is useful to distinguish community that is specifically enabled by the Internet. To extend your road analogy, lawmakers can regulate roads in ways that uniquely harm the motoring community, in the name of protecting society at large.