"Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship." (01,20,25)

What is this?

Executive Order 14149, titled "Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship", is President Trump's response to what he sees as government overreach in controlling online speech during the Biden administration. According to whitehouse.gov, the order claims that "Over the last 4 years, the previous administration trampled free speech rights by censoring Americans' speech on online platforms, often by exerting substantial coercive pressure on third parties, such as social media companies." The order says this pressure was used to suppress content the government disagreed with.

What's in it for us?

The most direct effect on young adults and teens would likely be changes in how social media platforms handle content moderation. If the government stops pressuring social media companies to remove certain content, young people might see more diverse viewpoints and information on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. This could mean greater exposure to different political perspectives and controversial topics that were previously restricted.

The potential downside is that reduced content moderation could lead to more misinformation or harmful content reaching young users. The broader effects would likely unfold over time as platforms adjust their policies in response to the government's new approach to online speech.