The dark side of free speech in the digital era

THE modern world has been revolutionized by social media’s growth. It has made information accessible to everyone, given a platform to underrepresented groups, linked communities worldwide and allowed people to easily join global conversations. Facebook, X, Instagram, Tik Tok and You Tube now function as the digital public squares of our era. But, these benefits come with a downside: social media has also facilitated a troubling surge in hate speech. Freedom of expression has historically been considered the foundation of civilized societies. Democracies thrive when people can freely voice their thoughts without facing repercussions. John Stuart Mill, among other philosophers, was a staunch advocate for free speech, asserting that open discussion was vital for both intellectual development and societal advancement. But, every society throughout history has imposed restrictions on complete freedom. Prohibiting speech that incites violence, terrorism, racial discrimination, or social chaos is a standard practice in even the most liberal democracies. Therefore, free speech was never meant to endorse hatred towards people or groups. Regrettably, social media has disrupted the equilibrium between freedom and accountability. The notion of free speech is frequently being abused to permit insults, harassment, misinformation and hate. Frequently, under the guise of anonymity, users worldwide direct abusive language at ethnic groups, religious communities, women, migrants and political opponents. This trend signifies a dangerous breakdown of ethical limits, not just a broadening of expression. Ethical and religious systems universally condemn hatred towards people, which is why hate speech is seen as evidence of moral decay. Compassion, tolerance, respect and coexistence are emphasized by nearly all religions. Islam, as an illustration, strictly prohibits mocking, backbiting, slander and the humiliation of others. Furthermore, the algorithms used by social media platforms have