Freedom of Expression on Social Networks
Freedom of Expression on Social Networks
1. Social networks have captured the attention of various sectors of society, leading to extensive discussions on their impact on freedom of expression. A globalized world, with new platforms and technological applications, impacts both developed and developing countries. To a greater or lesser extent, these tools influence how we communicate. The question is: are they good or bad?
Freedom of Expression and the Internet
2. Freedom of expression on the Internet enables open debate on issues of general interest. It also facilitates development, good governance, and the implementation of democratic guarantees. Facebook, a user-friendly and accessible network, allows citizens to share links, discuss their private lives with friends, disclose their locations and activities, report on community events, create discussion forums, react swiftly to emergencies, utilize chat and video conferencing to connect with sources, write and share notes with other users, publish content on pages or groups, and cultivate their critical thinking to express opinions on social, political, religious, or any other matter warranting a personal comment.
Limitations and Challenges on Social Media
3. However, while freedom of expression is guaranteed, each network has its own content policies that users do not always adhere to. Safety standards on Facebook and other social networks explicitly prohibit threats, certain types of photos, theft, and vandalism. Harassment, a regrettably common practice, is also disallowed. When the network receives reports of harassing behavior directed at individuals, appropriate action is taken, potentially leading to account suspension.
The Consequences of Online Abuse
– Most frequently, insults are used as a form of online abuse. Some individuals believe that because national laws protect free expression, they have the right to say anything about people with differing ideologies, races, religions, or sexual orientations. The problem with online abuse is that anything written on the web does not completely disappear; a trace always remains, potentially damaging a person’s reputation. Violence perpetrated through social networks leaves individuals negatively exposed to both acquaintances and strangers, impacting their family and work environments.
Respect and Responsibility Online
4. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, through any media, provided that this right is exercised respectfully and without causing harm to others. A commonly used phrase, “Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself,” clearly indicates that we must consider our words and actions both online and offline. I am also in favor because there are still many people who are harassed and imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression via online, in all regions of the world. And without freedom of expression, without the ability to be heard, it is very difficult to defend other human rights.