Can Legal Systems Around the World Keep up with Social Media?

What happens on social media is important. In 2013 72% of US adults use social media sites which means there is more adults who use social media than there are people who vote! Social media can influence political discussions, boost ailing businesses and repair or ruin a reputation. The significant impact that social media plays in our day to day lives has not gone unnoticed by legal systems around the world. Regulating the internet and social media is possibly one of the biggest challenges currently facing the modern democratic legal system.

The basic principles of freedom of speech rightly have remained unchanged, but the way we communicate has changed. We have nearly unlimited access to online content and more ways than ever before to express our view. It has become increasingly easier for people to break the law (intentionally or unintentionally) online.…