Can social media platforms engage in their own self-regulation? | The TechTank Podcast

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Nicol Turner Lee, David Vladeck, and Mary Engle

October 15, 2024

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.
The rise of social media has amplified concerns around children’s safety.
The discussion explores the possibility of social media companies self-regulating, drawing comparisons to other industries like cinema, music, and gaming, which have developed standards and ratings to protect minors.

Logos of popular social media brands are seen in this illustration photo on 14 July, 2023. According to a report by the BBC brands are increasingly pausing their social media presents citing instances of bullying as well as constantly chaning algorithms. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto)

2 min read

Editor's note:

This blog post has been updated.

TechTank, a biweekly podcast from the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings, explores today’s most consequential technology issues. Moderators Nicol Turner Lee and Darrell West speak with experts and policymakers to share data, ideas, and policy solutions that address the challenges of our digital world.

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.

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Can social media platforms engage in their own self-regulation? | The TechTank Podcast

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Can social media platforms engage in their own self-regulation? | The TechTank Podcast