70 Percent of College Kids Say That Speech Can Be As Damaging As Physical Violence

Some depressing behaviour among college students toward free talk have been revealed in a recent study conducted by the Knight Foundation.

According to seven out of ten people, conversation can cause just as much harm as actual crime. According to a survey of students,” the climate at my school or on my campus prevents some people from saying things that they think others might find offensive” ( poetry ). That’s higher than the 54 % who believed self-censorship was a problem in 2016 but down from 65 % in 2021.

As global conflicts, such as the war in Gaza, and local strife escalate, bringing immediate political and personal issues into focus, the report states, creating a problems for free speech on college campuses. The role of higher learning as a platform for open debate has never been more critical or threatened, with campuses repressing protests, political leaders questioning decisions made by university administrators, and emerging technology making disinformation easier and faster to make.

Of the 70 % of students who equate speech with violence, 82 % are Democrats and 59 % are Republicans. According to Campus Reform, “only 43 percent of these individuals feel that their right to free speech is quite protected or secure right now,” according to a tweet from Campus Reform.

Only about half of students ( 54 % ) think colleges should “allow students to be exposed to all types of speech, even if they may find it offensive or biased.” That percentage has dropped from 78 percent in 2016 to just 45 %. &nbsp,

60 percent of college students strongly or somewhat agree with the statement,” ]t ] he climate at my school or on my campus prevents some people from saying things they believe, because others might find it offensive” .&nbsp,

Just 32 percent of students claim their college has programs designed to facilitate constructive discussions among those who disagree, despite the fact that students want to take part in healthier debates. &nbsp,

The report states that” American society is at a crossroads” regarding how to use First Amendment protections in the twenty-first era, particularly on college campuses. ” That is why it is necessary that thought leaders, officials, faculty, and the public listen to the tones of college students as they grapple with troubles of complimentary discourse in America and on campus”.

One bright spot is that far fewer kids are in favor of discourse codes,” healthy spots”, and disinviting questionable speakers. In 2017, 49 % of students favored speech codes. In 2024, that percentage dropped to just 33 %. &nbsp,

In 2017, 87 % of students favored the creation of” safe spaces”. Just 13 % opposed them. Today, just 64 % favor” safe spaces” with 15 % opposing them and 20 % too terrified to give an opinion.

However, where 72 % opposed the idea of disinviting a controversial speaker in 2017, only 42 % oppose the idea today.

” Students are increasingly skeptical of social media’s role in productive conversations”, says the Knight Foundation Survey.

” Only 1 in 4 students feel the dialogue that occurs on social media is usually civil, down from 40 % in 2016. Most people think that social media stifles free expression because of fear of attacks or shaming, but only half feel comfortable sharing opinions online.

This generation of college students gives their opinions on what other students think of them far too much. I suppose that’s what social media is all about. But I find it hard to believe some kids are upset.

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