First Amendment, safety at issue with social media

In an article [Court may strike law barring sex offenders from social media, Feb. 27], the idea of rights given to sex offenders in the online world was discussed. The question Id like to raise is this: How far does freedom of speech stretch, and what rights do the courts have in taking this possible expression of free speech away?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances, the First Amendment reads.

Elsewhere in the legislative processes, though, we have concluded that one willing to act in deviant and criminal ways while in society is one willing to lose the rights granted to them by society. With the Constitution coming from an age where technology was minuscule, the judicial branch must use its discretion, through generally democratic processes, in deciding on topics outside of its realm.

My hope is that officials involved in deciding will hold true to constitutional values, while also keeping in mind the safety of the general public.

See the article here:

Letter: First Amendment, safety at issue with social media - Fredericksburg.com