What is the impact of the freedom of speech on social media?

Social media is an amazing and big world, where you can find almost everything you want, and
express all the feelings and thoughts you want to share.

First of all, let’s clarify what freedom of speech is. Freedom is, “the condition or right of being able
or allowed to do, say, think, etc. whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited” and
speech is, “the ability to talk, the activity of talking, or a piece of spoken language”. Which would
make freedom of speech be, “the right to express any opinions in public”.

Have you ever wondered how is the right of free speech accomplished in social media, we should
have our rights everywhere even in social media right? We should, and there is even a law that
explains the situation. “The First Amendment provides that Congress make no law respecting an
establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press,
assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

So it should be clear right? Actually no, in social media is easier to express opinions anonymously
without being judged, and some people might take advantage of it and start publishing opinions
which criticize and sometimes hurt people feelings. So, is this freedom of speech? No, it’s not
freedom of speech, people can write whatever they want as long the content doesn’t criticize
people or hurt them. This includes cyberbullying, violence and distribution of obscene material.

Resources:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org

https://accessiblelaw.untdallas.edu/limits-free-speech-social-media

https://www.loyola.edu/academics/emerging-media/blog/2016/freedom-of-speech-on-social-
media

https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/the-first-amendment-what-it-means-free-
speech-online/

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/heres-why-you-dont-have-a-right-to-free-speech-on-
social-media/67-522151281

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/the-constitution/

https://www.mtsu.edu:8443/first-amendment/article/1581/cyberbullying