The International Human Rights Law and Social Media Regulation

In the digital age, social media has become a pervasive force shaping public discourse, politics, and social interactions. However, the unchecked spread of hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation on these platforms has raised significant concerns regarding their role in promoting violence and discrimination. This paper briefly delves into the necessity of rethinking social media regulation, echoing the urgent need to address the proliferation of hate, conspiracies, and misinformation online. Focusing on the accessibility, targeting capabilities, anonymity, and profit motives inherent in social media platforms, this study explores the impact of harmful content on societal norms and human rights. It analyzes recent efforts by internet companies to regulate content, such as removing posts and suspending accounts, while questioning their efficacy in stemming the tide of online violence and hate crimes including the limitations of artificial intelligence in content moderation and the risk of censorship bias. This paper advocates for a more robust framework to hold social media platforms accountable for harmful content in International Human Rights Law (IHRL), calling for greater transparency, consistency, and user engagement in content moderation processes, guided by internationally recognized principles of freedom of expression and equality.