Is Social Media Content Moderation, SILENCING FREE SPEECH? Or Protecting Civil Rights By: Ki Lov3 Editor: Toni Gelardi © 2025 While some argue that content moderation restricts free speech, it actually serves as a safeguard—reinforcing civil rights and equality, just as hate crime laws protect individuals in physical spaces. In society, laws are in place to prevent hate crimes and protect vulnerable groups from discrimination because they recognize that certain speech and actions cause harm. If we protect people from hate-fueled attacks in real life, why should we allow them online, where harm can be even more severe? Social media has become a central part of public discourse, shaping conversations, movements, and opinions, but it has also made it possible for hate speech, harassment, and misinformation to spread. Cyberbullying and hate speech are linked to increased depression, anxiety, and self-harm. A study from the Journal of Medical Internet Rese...