St. Thomas Law Review
First Page
51
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Social media has become a double-edged sword in our current digital era, bringing both serious advantages and disadvantages to the forefront of domestic and international discussions. Social media has become a weapon in political, cultural, and even military conflicts due to the spread of unregulated content, despite it enabling people to interact, share information, and voice their opinions. Social media has facilitated the spread of hate speech, propaganda, and false information, which in turn distorts realities and shapes narratives and opinions. Social media's effect on both a domestic and global scale have been catastrophic, ranging from promoting violence to further alienating societies. This discussion will explore the complex role of social media in warfare, focusing on its utilization by various claimants, past trends, future trends and lastly a recommendation of how to fix the issue. Social media platforms have facilitated the spread of unprotected speech and disinformation campaigns, leading to the recruitment of supporters, incitement of violence, and promotion of terrorist propaganda. Additionally, the international protections for freedom of expression and the right to information create challenges in regulating harmful content, which raises concerns about how these rights are being exploited in the digital era.
Recommended Citation
Britney Arteaga,
Beyond Likes and Reposts: Social Media's Role in Warfare,
38
St. Thomas L. Rev.
51
(2026).
Available at:
https://scholarship.stu.edu/stlr/vol38/iss2/1