Requiring social media platforms to prevent users from lying or defaming others serves the greater public good

Overview Debates Related claims Topics Sources

Honesty about historical realities and the celebration of democratic ideals should be balanced in separate contexts rather than one overriding the other

The practice and continuation of democracy requires celebration, which is negated as soon as critiques of the celebrated subject are introduced

The United States represents the opposite of freedom and independence for many people due to consistent attacks on the idea of liberty and justice for all

Failing to confront the racial impacts of political moves like redistricting prevents equal representation and hinders true democracy

Giving a government excessive authority to regulate speech leads to authoritarianism

The First Amendment of the United States embodies the principle of erring on the side of permitting speech rather than restricting it

Social media companies should be required to remove misinformation only when it is illegal or constitutes a tortious action under United States law, such as libel or slander

The application of First Amendment free speech protections to private social media companies is currently ambiguous and should be more clearly defined

Misinformation on social media can be highly harmful, particularly concerning elections

Speech on social media platforms should be protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution

Social media companies have a responsibility to remove content that falls under illegal categories such as libel or defamation

Before the year 2000, pre-internet America had many culturally accepted norms, including the acceptance of a basic education system that needed improvement

Individuals lack the epistemic tools to effectively critique received knowledge and ascertain truth in a communal way

There is a de-reliance on authority among the general public

People are increasingly critical of their received knowledge

The assertion that people are smarter than ever and the assertion that people are taking judgments into their own hands more than ever lack a clear relationship

Increased access to information and the willingness to use it drives Americans to challenge previously accepted narratives

People are currently using political information in unprecedented ways compared to previous eras

People are more critical of the knowledge they receive in school

Increased access to information since the pre-2000 internet era has changed culturally accepted norms in the United States