The Just Security Podcast

The Just Security Podcast: Regulating Social Media — Is it Lawful, Feasible, and Desirable? (NYU Law Forum)

Mar 26, 2025

Daphne Keller, a leading voice on platform regulation from Stanford Law School, teams up with Michael Posner, a professor known for his expertise in business ethics at NYU. They delve into the urgent need for social media regulation to combat disinformation and protect democracy. The discussion covers the balance between free speech and community responsibility and explores the impact of social media on polarization. They also examine the challenges of reforming laws like Section 230 while addressing corporate interests and user rights.

01:12:24

Episode guests

Michael Posner

Daphne Keller

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Regulating social media is deemed essential for protecting democracy, particularly against misinformation and targeted harassment that erodes public trust.

The debate surrounding Section 230 highlights the tension between protecting free speech and holding tech companies accountable for harmful content moderation practices.

Transparency in social media operations is crucial, advocating for disclosure on content moderation and user data rights to ensure corporate accountability.

Deep dives

The Need for Regulation in Social Media

Current discussions highlight a pressing need for regulations on social media platforms to mitigate their harmful impact on democracy. Specific harms include election disinformation, health misinformation, and targeted harassment campaigns that undermine trust in institutions. The debate centers on whether aggressive government intervention is necessary or if it risks stifling free speech and consolidating control over speech content. This complex landscape involves stakeholders at all levels, with varying opinions on the best course of action to address these pressing issues.

Intro

3min

Exploring Harms and Regulatory Responses in Social Media

4min

The Crisis of Democracy: Technology's Role in Polarization

3min

Regulating the Digital Space: Balancing Freedom and Accountability

30min

Navigating Social Media Governance

18min

Reassessing the Balance of Free Speech and Community Responsibility

6min

Navigating Social Media Regulation

8min

2025 will be a pivotal year for technology regulation in the United States and around the world. The European Union has begun regulating social media platforms with its Digital Services Act. In the United States, regulatory proposals at the federal level will likely include renewed efforts to repeal or reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Meanwhile, States such as Florida and Texas have tried to restrict content moderation by major platforms, but have been met with challenges to the laws' constitutionality.

On March 19, NYU Law hosted a Forum on whether it is lawful, feasible, and desirable for government actors to regulate social media platforms to reduce harmful effects on U.S. democracy and society with expert guests Daphne Keller, Director of the Program on Platform Regulation at Stanford Law School’s Cyber Policy Center, and Michael Posner, Director of the Center for Business and Human Rights at NYU Stern School of Business. Tess Bridgeman and Ryan Goodman, co-editors-in-chief of Just Security, moderated the event, which was co-hosted by Just Security, the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights and Tech Policy Press.

Show Notes:

Tess Bridgeman
Ryan Goodman
Daphne Keller
Michael Posner
Just Security’s coverage on Social Media Platforms
Just Security’s coverage on Section 230
Music: “Broken” by David Bullard from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/david-bullard/broken (License code: OSC7K3LCPSGXISVI)

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