TechTank: Can Social Media Platforms Engage in Their Own Self-Regulation?

As society becomes increasingly digital, the concern for the safety of children and teens has been at the top of many discourses, especially when it comes to social media. Several calls to action have come from the White House, Congress, state and local legislatures, as well as parents. Social media platforms, which were designed to connect people and communities, have evolved into more complex landscapes now plagued by data privacy breaches, content moderation controversies, and mounting concerns about mental health outcomes.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, has called for mandatory warning labels on social media platforms, like labels found on cigarette packaging. With 95% of youth aged 13 to 17 using social media, some question whether social media companies can exercise responsibility and accountability in these debates. 

In this episode of the TechTank podcast, co-host Nicol Turner Lee is joined by Mary K. Engle, executive vice president of policy at BBB National Programs, and David Vladeck, the A.B. Chettle Chair in Civil Procedure at Georgetown Law and former director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Their discussion suggests a path forward for social media regulation and unpacks future policy considerations, including First Amendment protections.

Listen to the episode and subscribe to the TechTank Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Acast.