--- title: "Online Safety - Freedom of Speech" url: "https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2024-01-10-online-safety-freedom-of-speech" school: "Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy" --- # Online Safety - Freedom of Speech ![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/news/free-speech-vs-hate-speech-2.jpg) 10 January 2024 Freedom of expression is enshrined in international law. Some individuals, however, misunderstand the right to share their opinions as a license to target others with the most horrendous prejudice. So how do we balance people’s prerogative to have their voice heard against everyone’s right to live in a respectful, inclusive society? This conflict frequently unfolds in the digital world. Online posters can be falsely accused of hate speech, while actual hate is often defended as merely being ‘free speech’. To help children and young people learn to identify the boundaries and recognise genuine hate speech when they see it, our #WakeUpWednesday guide provides some helpful definitions and guidelines. [Online Safety ](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/online-safety) [Computing](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/computing) [PSHE](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/pshe) [Cultural Capital](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/cultural-capital) [Mental Health and Wellbeing](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/mental-health-and-wellbeing) [British Values](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/british-values) [![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/100x100c/news/IMG_3253.jpeg)](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2024-01-09-year-1-science-body-parts) Previous ### [Year 1 Science - Body Parts](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2024-01-09-year-1-science-body-parts) [![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/100x100c/news/IMG_3230.jpeg)](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2024-01-11-year-4-dt-making-bowls) Next ### [Year 4 DT Making Bowls](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2024-01-11-year-4-dt-making-bowls) ### Academy Life - [News](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news) - [Events](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/events) - [Clubs](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/basc) - [School Council](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/school-council) - [Attendance](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/attendance) - [Charities and Fundrasing](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/charities-and-fundraising) - ![School Games Gold](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/Gold_Logo_25-26(1).png) - ![Healthy school](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/healthy_school.png) - ![Picture News](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/6_Years_of_Picture_News.png) - ![AP smilestar](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/Screenshot_2026-07-27_10.26.27.png) ##### Location St James Crescent Darwen Lancashire BB3 0EY ##### Contact Us 01254 703260 ##### Stay Connected - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Darwenstjames) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/darwenstjames/) © Copyright 2021–2026 Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)