Social media has become a scapegoat
8 February 2024
SUGGESTED
In the Media
Christopher Snowdon quoted in The Herald
8 February 2024
In the Media
Housing and Planning
Matthew Lesh writes for City AM
IEA Director of Public Policy and Communications Matthew Lesh has written in City AM criticising calls for a social media crackdown in the aftermath of teenager Brianna Ghey’s murder.
Matthew wrote:
“Social media has become a scapegoat for every societal problem, with calls for tough action after every tragedy. It was not that long ago that there were demands to end online anonymity following the murder of MP David Amess. This is despite zero evidence that anonymous activity had anything to do with an Islamist extremist stabbing an MP.
“Undoubtedly, social media can also be harmful when misused. But it can also enrich our lives through building connections, education and entertainment. These benefits extend to children, whose rights to free speech and privacy are often ignored in calls for social media crackdowns.
“Brianna herself was an avid Tiktoker, amassing tens of thousands of followers. She even used various platforms, including Instagram, to befriend and support other young trans people.
“‘We’re both trans women from small villages, so our support network is all internet-based, and people don’t understand how big that network is. We all know and support each other,’ a friend of Brianna’s told Vice last year.”
Read Matthew’s full piece here.
Matthew wrote:
“Social media has become a scapegoat for every societal problem, with calls for tough action after every tragedy. It was not that long ago that there were demands to end online anonymity following the murder of MP David Amess. This is despite zero evidence that anonymous activity had anything to do with an Islamist extremist stabbing an MP.
“Undoubtedly, social media can also be harmful when misused. But it can also enrich our lives through building connections, education and entertainment. These benefits extend to children, whose rights to free speech and privacy are often ignored in calls for social media crackdowns.
“Brianna herself was an avid Tiktoker, amassing tens of thousands of followers. She even used various platforms, including Instagram, to befriend and support other young trans people.
“‘We’re both trans women from small villages, so our support network is all internet-based, and people don’t understand how big that network is. We all know and support each other,’ a friend of Brianna’s told Vice last year.”
Read Matthew’s full piece here.
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