Do you value individual contentment over the expression of ideas?

In a 2022 study by the Pew Research Center, 62% of U.S. teens say that feeling safe and welcome online is more important to them than the ability to speak freely. Let me repeat that—most teens today prioritize safety over freedom of speech. At first glance, this may seem understandable. After all, no one wants to navigate a world, primarily online, where they feel unwelcome or attacked. However, this shift raises more significant and more troubling questions about how we balance the need for safety with the importance of free speech. 

Safety is subjective. What feels “safe” to one person might feel restrictive to another. When safety becomes the dominant value, there is a danger that we may begin to silence ourselves in order to avoid conflict. The cost of this mindset is steep: it can discourage people from sharing honest opinions, even when those opinions are necessary for meaningful discussion and progress. 

History repeats itself. In socialist and communist governments, a similar pattern often emerged. The idea of creating a balanced, “safe” society was frequently used to justify limiting personal freedoms, especially freedom of speech. Heretics were silenced not necessarily because they were wrong but because their voices disrupted the collective comfort. People learned to keep their thoughts to themselves, and society paid the price. 

Today, we see echoes of this trend in our own society. The rise of cancel culture, the policing of language, and the demand for safe spaces have created a chilling effect on open discourse. While well-intentioned, these efforts often lead to self-censorship and intellectual conformity.

Freedom of speech isn’t easy. It means hearing things you might not like and being willing to agree to disagree. But it's essential. It is how we challenge injustice, confront uncomfortable truths, and figure out who we are. Sacrificing that freedom in the name of safety may provide short-term comfort, but in the long run, it leads to fear, mistrust, and a society where no one dares to express their honest opinions. Is that really the kind of world we want to build?

The concept of “safety” has been diluted to mean the “right always to feel comfortable.” 

Imagine a garden, lush and vibrant. It thrives on a delicate balance: sunlight, water, and the occasional gust of wind. The wind may ruffle the leaves, but it also strengthens the roots. Similarly, society flourishes on a balance of comfort and challenge.

True strength comes from facing challenges, not avoiding them. By shielding ourselves from discomfort, we weaken our ability to think critically, solve problems, and empathize with others. Let's cultivate a society that values both safety and the courage to engage with diverse viewpoints. By embracing debate, challenging assumptions, and tolerating dissent, we can foster a more resilient and innovative future.

The question isn't whether we need safety. We do. The question is: What kind of safety truly serves human growth?