Repression will not solve the problems in Egypt, he said in a statement. "I call on the Egyptian government and security forces to exercise restraint in dealing with protesters and to respect the human rights of its citizens to seek greater participation in their own government," said Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat. "I hope the people of Egypt will continue to remember the lessons and legacy of peaceful protesters from Gandhi to Dr. [Martin Luther] King and to exercise their right to be heard in that tradition, which will rally peaceful people everywhere in solidarity."

The Computer and Communications Industry Association, a U.S. trade group, applauded Clinton for calling on the Egyptian government to stop blocking Facebook and Twitter, two services protestors were using to organize. In early 2010, Clinton said Internet freedom would be a top priority for the State Department, CCIA President and CEO Ed Black noted.

"Secretary Clinton should be praised for taking a stand for the thousands of people in Egypt relying on Internet sites to communicate and organize politically," Black said. "The Obama administration has recognized the importance of free and open communications as both a human rights issue and a barrier to trade and commerce, and seems to be increasingly responding to countries -- even allies -- who restrict access online."

Black said he hopes pressure from the U.S. and other countries will prompt the Egyptian government to restore Internet services. Leaders there need to "realize that silencing dissent in this way is not a realistic solution for elected leaders," he said in a statement.

The efforts of the Egyptian government to shut down Facebook and Twitter show the potential of social media, added Erika Mann, executive vice president at CCIA and a member of the board at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).