2025 EUCOS Policy Symposium
This curriculum resource guide was created to supplement the University of Washington's,
In an increasingly digital world, governments around the globe face the urgent challenge of regulating social media content in a way that protects both public safety and fundamental freedoms. This curriculum guide explores the complex balance between free speech and online harm in democratic societies, using comparative legal and ethical frameworks to examine global approaches to content moderation.
A central focus of the guide is the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which has emerged as a comprehensive and influential model for regulating digital platforms. In contrast, the United States maintains a more hands-off approach, grounded in the First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which limits government involvement in platform moderation.
Students and educators will analyze a range of perspectives and case studies, from the foundations of free speech in democracies to the role of algorithms and platform design in shaping online discourse. The guide also addresses the spread of misinformation, extremist content, and the mental health implications of social media use, especially among youth.
Through these resources, learners are invited to grapple with critical questions:
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Who should be responsible for regulating online content—governments or platforms?
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What are the ethical boundaries between censorship and safety?
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How do different countries approach the trade-offs between speech and security?