Utilitarian Analysis

Utilitarianism is about an act that would result in happiness for a more significant number of

people. If Facebook or Twitter bans Ahmed account for spreading false accusations, then that

would result in greater happiness for a more significant number of people since nowadays,

many people are misusing social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to spread

false information or false accusations, banning his account would be a warning to others not

to spread false accusations or information otherwise their accounts would be banned too.

However, banning Ahmed's account would result in him losing contact with his friends and

family as well as to news or events. We can see that by comparing the outcomes, the public is

safe from false accusations and information, and only one person is harmed.

Kantian Analysis

Kantianism is about an act that is morally right; the outcome does not identify that the person

is good or not, but a person is identified on the intentions of his actions. By spreading false

accusations about a fellow student on Twitter or Facebook, Ahmed is committing a wrong act

because, in Kantianism, lying is wrong and against the moral law. Nevertheless, banning his

account would be unfairness to Ahmed since he has the right to social media and freedom of

speech. What Facebook or Twitter could do is they could temporarily ban his account and

then unban him after a specific period of time.

Social Contract Theory

Social Contract Theory is about living together in a society that follows a particular

agreement; in this case, Facebook or Twitter should also follow a particular agreement or

moral rules. Facebook or Twitter banning Ahmed's account can be beneficial in terms of

warning other people not to commit such an act, but this action of Facebook or Twitter would

make people afraid of expressing themselves or sharing information on their accounts, people

would be afraid that Facebook or Twitter might ban their accounts even though they might
not have spread any false accusations or information and they will lose contact with their

friends and family and any event that might be happening or has happened. So Facebook or

Twitter banning his account might not only affect him, but everyone else who might be using

these social media platforms.

Summary of Ethical Analysis

To summarize the ethical evaluation of Facebook or Twitter banning Ahmed's account, based

on utilitarian theory, Ahmed's account should be permanently banned since such an act would

prevent others from spreading false information, and it is for the greater good of many

people. However, according to the Kantian theory and the social contract theory, Ahmed's

account should not be banned since it is against his rights, and it would have a harmful effect

on the public.