Growth of social media in recent years

Presentation Type

Abstract

Faculty Advisor

Thomas Loikith

Access Type

Event

Start Date

25-4-2025 12:00 PM

End Date

25-4-2025 1:00 PM

Description

Social media has transformed the dissemination of information. Unfortunately, social media has also facilitated the dissemination of misinformation, lies, conspiracy theories, and hate speech (collectively “misinformation”). Sometimes, such misinformation has resulted in property damage, personal injury, or death. Although the First Amendment broadly protects free speech, the Supreme Court has recognized certain exceptions. The First Amendment does not protect speech that constitutes incitement, defamation, fraud, child pornography, fighting words, or threats. Should the Court recognize a new exception for misinformation on social media? What can and should be done to balance freedom of speech with the public interest against the spread of misinformation on social media? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to more fully understand it. From September 2025 through April 2025, I researched the problem through the disciplines of law and sociology. I analyzed relevant sources including the Constitution, court opinions, statutes, and scholarly articles. I identified conflicting disciplinary insights. Using Repko and Szostak’s interdisciplinary research process, I found common ground between such insights and integrated them to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding. That better understanding allows me to suggest solutions to the research problem. I conclude that the Court should find a new exception to the First Amendment, covering misinformation on social media. The public interest in regulating the dissemination of misinformation and its demonstrated harmful results warrants the Court creating such an exception. Such an exception is also consistent with exceptions already recognized by the Court including incitement, fighting words, and threats.

Comments

Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.

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Apr 25th, 12:00 PM Apr 25th, 1:00 PM

Growth of social media in recent years

Social media has transformed the dissemination of information. Unfortunately, social media has also facilitated the dissemination of misinformation, lies, conspiracy theories, and hate speech (collectively “misinformation”). Sometimes, such misinformation has resulted in property damage, personal injury, or death. Although the First Amendment broadly protects free speech, the Supreme Court has recognized certain exceptions. The First Amendment does not protect speech that constitutes incitement, defamation, fraud, child pornography, fighting words, or threats. Should the Court recognize a new exception for misinformation on social media? What can and should be done to balance freedom of speech with the public interest against the spread of misinformation on social media? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to more fully understand it. From September 2025 through April 2025, I researched the problem through the disciplines of law and sociology. I analyzed relevant sources including the Constitution, court opinions, statutes, and scholarly articles. I identified conflicting disciplinary insights. Using Repko and Szostak’s interdisciplinary research process, I found common ground between such insights and integrated them to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding. That better understanding allows me to suggest solutions to the research problem. I conclude that the Court should find a new exception to the First Amendment, covering misinformation on social media. The public interest in regulating the dissemination of misinformation and its demonstrated harmful results warrants the Court creating such an exception. Such an exception is also consistent with exceptions already recognized by the Court including incitement, fighting words, and threats.