The comment sections of social media platforms hold some of the most vitriolic outbursts of hate on the internet. Despite this, US tech giants remain reluctant to censor comments and content on their respective platforms to protect their users’ First Amendment right. Amid two public health crises — COVID-19 and systemic racism — social media platforms are beginning to understand that “protecting the First Amendment” by not censoring hate speech actively harms marginalized groups. Shorenstein Research Director Joan Donovan discusses why purging racists from social media platforms should be considered only the first step in rectifying the larger bigotry issues running rampant on the internet.
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