Is the use of social networking sites protected speech under the First Amendment?

[varkam]

Given the recent coverage of social networking sites playing a role in the Egypt situation, I was curious to see what people thought. If it is protected speech, should the government be allowed to place any restrictions on their use? If it isn't, should the government be able to prohibit their use across the board (such as just shutting down the Internet in its entirety)?

[AndyTiedye]

1. It is Protected Speech as Much as Any Other

and shutting down the Internet is right out.

[WatsonT]

2. Yes

in that the government should not be allowed to censor it at all.

[patrice]

3. Incidentally: The NLRB ruled late last year that FaceBook speech about one's employer is not

grounds for termination.

[varkam]

7. That's interesting -- I wasn't aware of that.

Thanks!

[Deep13]

4. Is it speech? If so, it's protected. nt

[RKP5637]

5. It is, but one can be fairly sure they might be watched/tracked by

the gov. for everything they post, as with outfits like Narus.

http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20Editorials/2011/January/31%20o/Boeing-Owned%20Narus%20of%20Sunnyvale,%20California%20Americans%20Helped%20Mubarak%20to%20Crush%20Dissent%20By%20Tariq%20Khattak.htm

[DenverDad]

6. Yes

and it carries the same responsibilities and consequences as exercising other First Amendment rights.