Study: What’s In a Facebook ‘Like’?
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It’s as easy as clicking a button and you can “like” something on Facebook. From groups, to politicians, to movies, the list goes on and on.
But what are the consequences of ‘likes’? And are they considered speech protected by the first amendment?
A study co-authored by a Troy University professor took a detailed look at what’s in a Facebook ‘like’.
Dr. Susan Sarapin, Troy University, and Dr. Pamela Morris, University of Wisconsin- La Crosse, surveyed more than 440 Facebook users.
The majority say a like is equal to speech and should be protected by the first amendment.
In past court cases a judge has ruled a ‘like’ is protected. But Dr. Sarapin says you should be careful of everything you do on social media. “People need to know that there are consequences to writing on blogs, writing on social media, they can lose their jobs…you can like whatever you want, nobody says you cant. But you may like the wrong thing one day and find out that you are in trouble,” she said.
The constitution just prevents government from suppressing your right to free speech. Your employer could still hold you accountable for what you post or ‘like,’ so Dr. Sarapin says it’s important to know your company’s policy.
This study has been the most downloaded ever on the publisher’s website.
