This document introduces a debate about freedom of speech on social media platforms. It provides background on Twitter, noting that it currently removes tweets that break its rules against hate speech, terrorism, or threats of violence. Some argue this limits free speech, while others think it is necessary. Elon Musk recently bought Twitter and plans to increase free speech, but some are unsure if this is the right approach. Readers are challenged to consider which side of the debate they support and provide evidence from the given information.

1. May 4th 2022

2. Welcome to a slightly different Learning
Zone this week!
You’ll find the main arguments for this
week’s debate here.
THEN check out the posts and answer
the questions.

3. Challenge 1:
How many social-media
platforms can you name?

4. Did you remember all of these?
What kinds of people
use each of these
platforms most? For
example, younger
people
tend to use TikTok
more than older
people.
What do they use
them for?

5. Twitter is a social media platform that lets people share their views in
short messages called Tweets. It has strict rules for users – for
example, people must not use hate speech or show support for
terrorism, or threaten violence.
Tweets that break its rules are removed and users can be banned.
Some people think Twitter is wrong to do this because everyone has a
right to free speech.
On April 25th Twitter was in the news because Elon Musk, the richest
man in the world, bought it for around $44 billion. He has promised to
increase free speech on Twitter but some people are unsure if this is
the right thing to do.

6. Challenge 2:
Should social-media users
have total freedom of speech?

7. Read the following cards.
Are they on the YES side or
the NO side of the argument?

10. Challenge 3:
What do you think?
Should social-media users have
total freedom of speech? Can you
support your argument with a
piece of evidence you have just
read?