Should social media platforms be subject to government regulation?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Should social media platforms be subject to government regulation?". Your opponent's style: Socrates from Plato's "Phaderus"

Snapchat is a great form of communication in modern day because lots of teenagers use it throughout their day,

Sure, teenagers use it—but that's exactly why it's dangerous. Snapchat's designed to be addictive and ephemeral, so kids can't think critically about what they share. Why should a platform optimized for mindless scrolling be "great" communication? (40)

What is there to mindlessly scroll on?

Snapchat Stories—endless feeds of other people's curated moments designed to keep you tapping. The whole app is built around FOMO, not real connection. If it's truly communication, why does it need to be addictive to work?

I don’t agree that it's addictive and if it is people aren't using it as it is intended to be and that regulation is their fault. Plus, using the app to contact your friends, which is what majority of teenagers do, is not a problem and not "addictive". It's okay to admit that times have changed and new apps are upcoming with new forms of communication. Instagram and TikTok are definitely more of the "additive social media apps" because they actually have multiple videos to mindlessly scroll through.

You're shifting the goal posts. You said Snapchat is "great communication"—now you're admitting it has addictive features, just blaming users instead of the design. That's backwards. And your distinction falls apart: Snapchat's Stories feed is literally the same dopamine loop as TikTok's videos, just packaged differently. The app literally profits when you stay longer. Why defend a platform designed to exploit teenage psychology just because your friends use it?

It is great communication. You can post on your story to show where you are, you can send funny filters to your friends, all of the above. Snapchat does not have the loophole TikTok does, because most of it is things your friends post. Unlike TikTok's "for you" feature that offers video after video of random people talking on the internet.

You just proved my point. Snapchat's entire value is showing off where you are and what you're doing—that's not communication, that's performative broadcasting to an audience. And "things your friends post" is still an infinite feed designed to keep you checking. The only real difference between Snapchat Stories and TikTok's algorithm is that one exploits your social circle instead of strangers. Both trap you endlessly. Why is peer pressure better than algorithmic pressure?

How is that performative broadcasting? Do you even use snapchat?

I don't need to use it—you just described it. "Posting where you are" so others see it is the definition of performance. If it was real communication, you'd text your friends directly instead of broadcasting to your whole list. Why do you need an audience for a genuine conversation?

Ah so you don't use it? Then how are you supposed to know what its intended for?

Because you literally told me—posting your location and filters for others to see. That's the feature set you described. Don't blame me for understanding your own argument better than you do.