During a recent CNN appearance, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged lawmakers to prioritize making the internet a safer environment for users, particularly children. Clinton emphasized that while some progress has been made at the state level, especially in California and New York, a national strategy is essential for comprehensive reform.
“We need decisive action on a federal level,” Clinton asserted, lamenting the current dysfunction within Congress regarding the protection of children online. She believes that ensuring social media safety should be a top priority for legislators across the country.
Clinton specifically called for a reassessment of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which currently provides internet platforms with immunity from liability for user-generated content. “It’s time to reevaluate this policy,” she argued, suggesting that the original intent of this law—allowing platforms to act as neutral pass-throughs—has long since expired. She pointed out the urgent need for accountability, particularly as social media platforms contribute to rising levels of anxiety and depression among young users.
In her new book, “Something Lost and Something Gained,” Clinton outlines the harmful impact of unregulated social media. She cites alarming trends, such as exposure to inappropriate content and potential threats to children’s safety, which have been exacerbated by the lack of effective moderation on these platforms.
Clinton even advocated for the removal of phones from schools, arguing that we have conducted a dangerous social experiment on our youth. “We’ve seen the evidence,” she said, praising initiatives that require students to surrender their phones upon entering school grounds. She believes this step could help mitigate distractions and foster a healthier educational environment.
As the conversation surrounding social media safety continues, it’s clear that addressing these issues is a responsibility that must be taken seriously at all levels of government. It’s time for lawmakers to unite and take meaningful steps toward safeguarding our children in the digital age.