Student Writers Advisory Group: Freedom of speech at school and beyond

This month the members of Pamplin Media Group’s Student Writers Advisory Group — better known as SWAG — analyzed the ways that freedom of speech have changed and been challenged in the digital world.

From a TikTok ban to college campus protests, young people are constantly discussing and exercising their freedom of speech, at school and beyond.

SWAG is comprised of representatives from Wilsonville, West Linn, Lake Oswego and Lakeridge high schools. SWAG pieces are published monthly in the Wilsonville Spokesman, West Linn Tidings and Lake Oswego Review.

A fundamental yet complex right

Freedom of speech is a right that I feel fortunate to count on. It is just one of the freedoms that people in countries where dissenting voices are silenced can only dream of, and which we may often take for granted. Although the expression of deeply felt and sometimes opposing viewpoints may lead to conflict, anguish and anger, the right to free speech is enshrined in the Constitution and feels like a binding promise.

While the First Amendment protects most types of speech from government restriction, including the speech of students at public schools like mine, a broader definition of free expression encompasses the freedom to speak out publicly without fear of public censure.

The widespread adoption of communications technology, notably social media, has raised the stakes for speaking one’s mind higher than ever before by making it possible for people to share their views instantly and publicly — and for members of the public to respond in sometimes extreme ways.

Well-publicized incidents of ordinary people going viral for comments that angered or offended others — and subsequently being harassed, shamed and otherwise punished for their views — have created a social environment in which people may quickly learn to become reluctant or afraid to voice their opinions. Parents and teachers regularly dole out reminders to be careful about who we interact with and what information we share online because “the internet never forgets.” However, with increasing polarization in our communities comes the possibility of being publicly singled out and punished for expressing a perspective or even just asking questions.

On the other hand, it is also possible to gain positive attention by speaking out. It feels good to receive appreciation and approval for expressing views popular in our social circles. Peer pressure is an undeniable influence among groups of friends and in like-minded forums online and it can be affirming and gratifying to amass “likes” and positive attention.

While this can be a morale booster and foster a sense of community, the proliferation of sophisticated algorithms used by social media platforms to filter and tailor information can also greatly increase polarization. Most people’s natural tendency to frequent online spaces where they feel comfortable and validated can also greatly increase polarization by preventing people from being exposed to diverse sources of information and from considering the opinions and experiences of those with different viewpoints.

In fact, in 2022 the Pew Research Center released a study that found 62% of 13 to 17-year-olds felt that a welcoming and safe online environment was more important than allowing people to express their opinions freely online.

Circling back to the First Amendment, efforts to ban books in public libraries across the country, including public school libraries, are a clear example of attacks on freedom of speech that have been successfully defended against in many of our communities. Campus protests at public schools and universities are an example of students exercising their freedom of speech and right to assemble. These protests also revealed the complexities of determining if and when protesters may cross a line with speech and behavior that is not protected by the Constitution.

Freedom of speech is one of the most important underpinnings of a thriving democracy. It is worth exercising and defending, even on behalf of those we vehemently disagree with. If we create an environment in which we are afraid to express our opinions freely and lose interest in exchanging ideas and learning from others, we risk existing in stale echo chambers that rob us of the opportunity to have meaningful discussions that may eventually lead to growth, mutual understanding and compromise.

Annamika Konkola

Speech and movements

While schools promote creative problem-solving and independent thought, it’s ironic to witness a suppression of these same values in practice. Schools can limit speech by punishing students for expressing their opinion, as has occurred in the last few months during protests at a variety of colleges. This is especially detrimental for university students, where consequences and limitations on free speech can take the form of police brutality, expulsion or limiting access to campus resources such as dining facilities.

Even though the internet is a new variable for this current generation, ways of suppressing students’ freedom of speech aren’t new and neither are college protests about global events.

For example, students across America held similar encampments when protesting the Vietnam War, as well as sit-ins and other forms of peaceful protest. With the development of the internet, it has become easier for these movements to gain international attention and increased scrutiny.

However, social media is a powerful tool in this context to promote movements, garner support and, perhaps most importantly, stay informed. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have given young people a new outlet to express themselves and connect with others. These platforms have also led to issues such as cyberbullying and cancel culture, which can have negative effects on free speech. The recent TikTok ban also highlights the government’s role in regulating speech on the internet.

There are many ways in which students can exhibit their freedom of speech, but over time, it has consistently been limited. While in any case of free speech, there are certain boundaries, it is a right that all people have. Students have unique viewpoints which differ from the views and opinions of older generations and should be heard.

Khushi Rastogi

Normalizing freedom of speech

Freedom of speech has been shaped and manipulated over the centuries. Although today, students learn about the acts and laws signed to instill rights and assure sanctuary in opinions and individual voices, they have yet to enter into today’s form of acceptance.

It seems as though societal opinions change like trends: unexpectedly and without warning. While yesterday’s world connotated terms one way, people today alter their meaning to fit current norms and general associations. Individuals have a say in what comes from their tongues, but it’s essential in today’s society to filter words through what has been established as “right” and “wrong.”

Wilsonville High School sophomore Oliver Latta articulates this idea by sharing his opinion, “You have free speech until your words offend somebody.”

Young generations have grown up with “cancel culture,” where words are boycotted based on social and moral ideologies. Certain comments have remained controversial from earlier decades, but guidelines have since morphed, as digital platforms have taken on the role of shaping contemporary society.

Although many people shy from the opinion that today’s culture is more restrictive, the reality is that people are ostracized over published content and what they speak of. Whether it be on the topic of religion, politics, identity or race, more people experience a shunning community that treats words like they’re untouchable fire.

This being said, communication is constantly changing. Freedom of speech in today’s time is conditional. Society says that you may speak your mind if your words fall within the criteria. Society says that women can voice their opinions and that their words matter, but only if they are of etiquette and poise. Society says that you can say whatever you want, as long as it doesn’t poke sensitive topics or arouse disagreement.

People are scared of speaking freely because there are so many rules to follow. For the children growing up in today’s world, there’s much to learn. Loud voices are heard but are also interrogated. People must learn to play the “game” of communication, where the rules warp and change to fit the situation of society.

Every form of free speech has its limits. Every thought carries a series of following questions. Modern media illuminated the utter darkness of free speech and also enlightened the world on how to navigate new ideas and listen to people as they speak.

Today’s youth have many voices shouting at them, with opinions and challenges. The irony is that the freedom of today’s speech was earned and sought after for hundreds of years, yet raises new issues that people never imagined.

So many students already have their opinions projected onto them and in their faces.

Certain topics are culturally “unhinged” and aren’t allowed to be discussed in classrooms. How must students learn to determine their own opinions if they aren’t allowed to ask questions? How can society learn to face difficult issues if nobody wants to touch the topic of world issues or politics?

If people fear others’ reactions to their words, then it should not be called “freedom of speech.” Although the right for women to speak has come a long way and society includes voices from diverse people, society qualifies and quantifies the importance of one’s voice based on criteria that have surpassed history’s evolution and are still prevalent today. To speak freely, people have many more years of work to do before speech is not generalized or categorized based on worldly opinions.

Avery Eckley

How the digital space has changed free speech

Cherished for fostering cultural connections and equal representation, freedom of speech is cherished as a crucial pillar of democratic societies. Even so, what defines freedom of speech has been remodeled and reshaped by today’s world, where the internet dominates through digital communication and global connectivity. Aspects of free speech, especially for the younger generations, have evolved, influenced by social media and digital norms.

Today’s youth are basically digital experts, growing up with unlimited access to information and platforms that give them a public voice from an early age. We’re joked about, called “iPad Kids,” but social media has done more than simply rot our brains with Instagram reels and TikTok trends.

Technology has allowed young people to form more solidified opinions about important issues like climate change, gun control and social justice. We’ve been exposed to media and the opinions of adults through comment sections and posts that previous generations wouldn’t have had.

Along with this, these platforms have also given us voices to express our own opinions and share them with the world. In this sense, this empowerment to speak up is a dramatic shift, with such easily accessible means of public engagement.

Even so, this freedom has come with its challenges and shortcomings. The permanence and pervasiveness of the internet have influenced the impact of voices on the internet. Once something is posted, it can be exceedingly difficult to erase. This can lead to long-lasting digital footprints, where comments, photos or videos continue to be accessible long after they were originally created.

This puts much more importance on what is said online, the permanence can have lasting implications for younger generations who may not fully grasp the long-term consequences of online actions. Information spreads quickly and widely, passing through geographic, social and economic barriers. What young people post can be seen by anyone anywhere, including potential employers, educators and peers. The widespread nature of social media emphasizes and magnifies the reach and impact of everything shared online. Often, what is said online can be turned against you before you know it, where individuals are ostracized or boycotted for controversial remarks that cannot simply be rewound.

While “cancel culture” promotes accountability, it can also stifle open dialogue with one another.

Cancel culture is now a driving force in discussions of free speech. It reflects a generational shift in how ideas and behavior are controlled not by traditional authorities only, but by peers and the public.

While some see it as a necessary force for calling out wrongdoing and fostering respect in discussions, others argue that it creates atmospheres of fear — ultimately limiting what can be said.

Even though everyone has free speech, they can’t prevent themselves from being punished socially, especially when it’s online. What people have said in the past within public forums and social media posts often comes back to bite the creator, putting even greater pressure on what’s said online.

I believe this landscape has created a more opinionated generation, where activism and social justice are of the utmost importance.

Today’s younger generations are arguably the most outspoken and connected people in history, thanks to the amount of unprecedented information and communication technologies. In places like schools and universities, whose rules govern students’ lives, there is often a clash between administration and students.

Schools control curriculum and have a say in what goes on on campuses. Often, they limit exposure to diverse viewpoints and topics may be censored to avoid controversy. To a college, its image as an uncontroversial, marketable school that puts education above all else is crucial. This can lead to conflict when people who wish to speak are censored. A current example of this is the University of Southern California Israel-Hamas war controversy, where the valedictorian, who’s pro-Palestine, was silenced at commencement because of “safety concerns.” This has led to a spiral of conflicts and protests within the USC campus between students, the police department and the school’s administration.

Kai Donohue

Younger generations are “canceling”

Teenagers and young adults can contribute to online discussions, protests or organizations with a simple click. Phones eliminate the hurdles that past generations faced, ultimately making freedom of speech more accessible for the younger generations.

However, with social media, they face new challenges regarding freedom of speech, particularly with cancel culture.

Cancel culture is a unique phenomenon that describes boycotting someone or something because of actions, statements or behavior that is deemed unacceptable.

At its core, the societal expectation that people should have consequences for their actions is nothing new. However, with social media involved, immediate reactions and punishments from people online have become more intense, forming this cancel culture.

It is a heated topic because of the complexities involved. It is a paradox; canceling someone is an exercise of free speech that simultaneously suppresses another’s freedom of speech. Therefore, what is worse, removing platforms from people or not holding people accountable? Moreover, is cancel culture even a productive way to hold people accountable?

Perhaps cancel culture started as a way to propel change, but has gotten out of control. Nowadays, cancel culture leaves no room for conversation, which creates an even bigger divide between groups.

In my opinion, various forms of sexism or racism need to be brought to light, but I’m not convinced that canceling someone creates the desired outcome of positive change. Instead, I’ve noticed that we are canceling a person instead of canceling their actions, which ultimately, makes them more upset and unwilling to change. As a member of a younger generation, I think that anything “canceled” is stopped, therefore, we have stopped listening to one another.

It takes two willing parties to create change and understand that it is better to be open-minded and learn from each other. I think we ought to have more mature beliefs surrounding freedom of speech, as much as it means talking, it also means listening.

Emma Wadley