Series/Report no.:
ITS 33rd European Conference 2025: "Digital innovation and transformation in uncertain times", Edinburgh, UK, 29th June – 1st July 2025
Abstract:
Social media content moderation has stirred controversies for a number of years, resulting in calls for regulation. Proposals include reforming Section 230, regulating social media as public utilities or as common carriers, and imposing transparency standards. A proper regulatory framework should protect social media platforms' (SMP) First Amendment rights, allow users their freedom of speech, and protect business viability. A regulatory solution might be to offer an incentive or require an SMP to offer a public portal in addition to its moderated portal. Users could access all content that is allowable under the First Amendment, including content the SMP doesn't allow on its moderated portal. The public portal would allow users and SMPs freedom of speech and allow SMPs to retain current business models.