Recently a CNN report stated that 26% of all social media postings on political issues in the US are fake. That means bad actors who have a destructive motive are trying to convince Americans of false information. And, as if that wasn’t enough, many states and their governments have banned TikTok and other social media platforms for all kinds of reasons. The US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has reported that the effect on young people (our next generation) is appalling. There has been a 57% increase in the rate of youth suicide in the last ten years–attributable directly to social media contact. Unwarranted contact with adults who feel isolated, shamed or otherwise mentally anxious has caused harm in dozens of manifestations. Unfortunately, every attempt to restrict such contacts turns into a First Amendment argument. We believe the time has come for the old “you can’t shout ‘fire’ in a crowded theater” standard to be applied. If destructive content cannot be controlled the source must be eliminated. Think about this: if a theatergoer was stopped on his way into the theater and asked if he was going to shout “fire” during the movie and he answered “yes”–what do you think the authorities would do? They would probably watch him very closely during the movie so he doesn’t cause a panic. And, if he does shout “fire” and cause a panic he would be arrested for reckless endangerment or worse–if someone was killed in the panic. NONE OF THAT EFFORT CAN BE POSITIONED WHEN TRYING TO CONTROL SOCIAL MEDIA. AND EVERY NUT JOB IN THE COUNTRY HAS A TOTALLY FREE AND UNRESTRAINED OPPORTUNITY TO SHOUT “FIRE” IN ANY WAY AND FOR ANY PURPOSE THEY CHOOSE. Is it any wonder that social media harms us more than helps us? The problem: social media is big money and big money makes any problems go away. Every day we watch the news and learn about unspeakable acts perpetrated by unstable people. How long will we allow them to be armed with the ability to destroy? Are we unable to govern ourselves to the point where we are defenseless?
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