Social Media, Morality, and Protecting Innocence in the Digital Age

The recent Senate hearings addressing the controversies surrounding Mark Zuckerberg and the potential ban of TikTok have reignited debates on the moral and social implications of unregulated online content. The U.S Senate’s involvement was prompted by mounting reports from concerned parents and advocacy groups about the pervasive indecency on social media platforms. A significant number of complaints highlighted the ease with which explicit and harmful content reaches minors. According to a 2023 survey by the Family Online Safety Institute, 67% of parents expressed deep concern about their children encountering inappropriate material online, with over 45% reporting behavioural changes attributed to prolonged exposure to such content.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, and representatives from TikTok have been summoned repeatedly to address these issues. Critics argue that the platforms’ algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, often prioritize sensationalism over safety. TikTok, in particular, has faced scrutiny for its lack of robust content moderation and alleged failure to shield young users from harmful exposure. The debate has extended beyond individual platforms to a broader philosophical question: how do we balance freedom of expression with the imperative to protect societal values?
Unbridled online activities and the proliferation of graphic content under the guise of freedom of expression have contributed to a discernible erosion of social and moral decorum. The internet once heralded as a tool for democratizing information and fostering global connection, now often serves as a vehicle for the unregulated dissemination of harmful material. The lack of clear boundaries has blurred the lines between freedom and irresponsibility, leaving vulnerable populations, especially children, exposed to the darker aspects of human expression.
Philosophically, this phenomenon challenges the Enlightenment ideal of liberty as a means to achieve human flourishing. When freedom of expression is devoid of ethical considerations, it risks devolving into a license for chaos, undermining the very foundations of a cohesive society. The moral degradation observed in digital spaces today raises urgent questions about the role of governance and communal responsibility in safeguarding public decency.
From a philosophical standpoint, the necessity of rules to maintain social order is well-documented. Aristotle, for instance, emphasized the concept of virtue ethics, arguing that moral character is cultivated through habituation. According to Aristotle, individuals—and by extension, societies achieve eudaimonia (flourishing) through adherence to virtuous practices. The absence of restrictions in online spaces, however, disrupts this process, exposing impressionable minds to vice rather than virtue.
Plato, Aristotle’s mentor, shared a similar view in his seminal work The Republic. He argued that a just society requires the regulation of artistic and intellectual expressions to ensure that they promote moral and civic virtues. Plato would likely view the current state of social media as an abdication of societal responsibility, where unfiltered access to harmful content undermines the moral fabric of the community.
Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor, offers another lens through which to view this issue. His Meditations reflect on the importance of self-discipline and rational governance in achieving a harmonious society. From a Stoic perspective, the absence of rules governing online content fosters excess and indulgence, antithetical to the principles of moderation and reason that underpin societal well-being.
The philosophical insights of Aristotle, Plato, and Marcus Aurelius underscore the importance of balancing freedom with responsibility. In the context of social media, this balance necessitates the establishment of clear parameters to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children. While freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of democratic societies, it is not an absolute right. It must be tempered by considerations of public morality and the common good.
Policy recommendations include stricter content moderation protocols, age verification mechanisms, and greater accountability for platform operators. These measures align with the philosophical principle that liberty must serve the higher purpose of human flourishing, rather than descending into anarchy.
The ongoing debates surrounding Mark Zuckerberg, TikTok, and the regulation of social media platforms highlight a critical tension between freedom and responsibility in the digital age. Drawing on the wisdom of Aristotle, Plato, and Marcus Aurelius, it becomes clear that rules and restrictions are not antithetical to liberty but essential to its proper exercise. To preserve social decorum and protect the innocence of children, society must redefine the parameters of freedom of expression, ensuring that the digital sphere becomes a space for growth rather than moral degradation.