The Death of Digital Discourse




There’s no real freedom of speech on social media when expressing an opinion means being attacked for it.

Let’s be honest — social media isn’t a marketplace of ideas anymore. It’s a firing range. Post an opinion, question a statement, or even leave a polite comment, and you risk being bombarded with insults. I’ve been called names for simply commenting on other people’s postings. Not attacking anyone, not provoking — just expressing a view. That’s how low our online culture has sunk.

Freedom of speech has turned into freedom to bash. People don’t want dialogue; they want dominance. They don’t debate ideas; they destroy reputations. It’s digital mob justice, and it thrives on likes, rage, and self-righteousness.

We love to say “everyone is entitled to their opinion,” but only as long as that opinion agrees with ours. The moment it doesn’t, the claws come out. The hypocrisy is glaring — people shout about free speech while silencing others through harassment.

Many stay silent not because they are indifferent, but because they are tired of being targets. The online space that was meant to connect us has become a toxic echo chamber.

If freedom of speech now means the loudest, angriest voices win, then we’ve failed the very principle we claim to defend. Free speech without respect is just noise. And right now, that noise is deafening.

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