Social Media Opens a Door That May Never Be Closed

Hey all, it’s Kurt. Last week I wrote about Parler, the “free speech” social network that many well-known conservatives are joining so they can say whatever they want online. It’s been described as an alternative to Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc., which have long lists of rules and guidelines about what people are allowed to post. But thanks to an unprecedented wave of social media crackdowns on toxic content in recent days, Parler may soon be labeled as an alternative to Alphabet Inc.'s YouTube, as well. And Reddit Inc. And Twitch.

A number of the largest digital platforms made major, public shows of enforcing their rules this week, and many of those newfound violators are supporters of Donald Trump—or the president himself.