This is an explanation aimed at Children, explained simply so all can understand.
What about free speech in privately owned public spaces?
There have been many instances where a news organisation or person has been banned from social media platforms — the most famous example being that of ex US President Donald Trump.
In this instance, it is not a government intervention that has blocked a person from expressing their opinions but a private entity with its own rules and regulations.
Read more: No, Twitter is not censoring Donald Trump. Free speech is not guaranteed if it harms others
Let’s go back to our road example. If someone has a private road leading to a nice bluff overlooking the sea, they might allow anyone access to the bluff provided they follow conditions such as not speeding, sticking to the road and not playing loud music. If someone decided not to abide by those conditions, it is justifiable for the owner to ban them.
Private businesses also allow people into their stores so long as they accept certain conditions governing their behaviour. Most people think this is reasonable.
But what conditions are acceptable to place on public access to private property? What if we did not allow people of a certain racial background into our coffee shop? Or certain genders? Almost no one would think that was reasonable.
The conversation with children, therefore, needs to be about whether limitations are fair and reasonable.
Private companies like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are allowed to set conditions for those who use their platforms. In fact, in the case of social media, you have to explicitly agree to abide by those terms to be allowed to use it.
In a nutshell, you have to abide by the terms and conditions you agreed to when signing up for your account. You agree to abide by the forum rules when you post here.
All of those rules are explained in the pinned post