During COVID-19, a new social media app took the world by storm called Clubhouse. Clubhouse is an audio-only social media platform where people are invited into 'rooms' to have discussions based around topics chosen by moderators.

In the early days of COVID-19, when Clubhouse was first launched, it had over 100 million monthly users. The app was popular because it allowed for people to connect with each other in real time without having to see each other's faces or hear their voices. The anonymity of the platform made it easy for people who were not comfortable with talking on the phone or meeting in person to connect with one another.

The app quickly became a go-to resource for those looking for support during COVID-19, as well as those who wanted to share their experiences with others going through similar hardships. However, Clubhouse has also been criticised for being an echo chamber and allowing hate speech but its popularity continues to grow unabated despite this criticism.

About Clubhouse

Clubhouse is an audio-based social media app. The company describes itself as "a new type of social product based on voice [that] allows people everywhere to talk, tell stories, develop ideas, deepen friendships, and meet interesting new people around the world."

Basically what this means is, you can jump in and out of different chats, on different subjects, in something akin to a live, free-flowing podcast. You can simply listen or choose to throw in your thoughts.

In theory, it's supposed to be something like a cocktail party or...clubhouse. In practice, it's some mixture of LinkedIn, a panel discussion, or a professional conference.

What Are The Issues Associated with Clubhouse?

The app however has enjoyed its fair share of controversy.

Just earlier this year, three people were arrested by Mumbai Police during an ongoing investigation into abusive and nasty discussions on audio chat app Clubhouse.

In the shocking chat that has spread on social media, participants are heard talking about torturing women.

The cyber cell of Mumbai Police started the investigation after a woman registered a complaint. A city-based organisation has also registered a complaint about a disgusting and derogatory chat about Muslim women, seeking action against the app.

The app made headlines after the clip of a chat in which obscene comments were made against Muslim women went viral on social media.

Some of the issues surrounding Clubhouse, which have contributed to it's recent decline in popularity include the lack of censorship on the app with many people misleading with their chosen room or topic titles.

However on the other hand, it could be argued that this lack of censorship contributes to free speech.

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Whilst we're all entitled to have different opinions about censorship and free speech, here at The Frog Intiative we can all agree that no matter the platform, social media should be a safe place for everyone to speak, collaborate and listen.

For more information visit our website at: https://froginitiative.org/

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