Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has issued a stark warning about the risks of unmoderated content on social media platforms, urging federal action to step in where states alone cannot. In an interview with CNN’s Michael Smerconish, Clinton argued that while some states have initiated social media regulations, federal oversight is crucial.
“We can look at the state of California, the state of New York, I think some other states have also taken action,” Clinton said.
However, she emphasized that nationwide policies are needed to protect young people online. “But we need national action, and sadly, our Congress has been dysfunctional when it comes to addressing these threats to our children,” she added.
Calls to Repeal Section 230
Clinton went further, suggesting the repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Act. This statute currently shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content. “We should be, in my view, repealing something called Section 230, which gave, you know, platforms on the internet immunity because they were thought to be just pass-throughs, that they shouldn’t be judged for the content that is posted,” Clinton explained.
She believes that a hands-off approach no longer works, pointing to the significant impact social media has on real-life behaviors and mental health. “But we now know that that was an overly simple view, that if the platforms, whether it’s Facebook or Twitter/X or Instagram or TikTok, whatever they are, if they don’t moderate and monitor the content, we lose total control,” she said. “And it’s not just the social and psychological affects, it’s real life.”
Stripping Immunity and Adding ‘Guardrails’
To regain control, Clinton argues that social media companies should lose their immunity and face stricter regulations. She also voiced support for policies that limit cellphone use in schools, citing the benefits seen in states like Florida and California, which have already enacted such measures.
“Take phones out of schools,” she declared. “I’m so happy to see schools beginning to do that, where the kids turn their phone in when they walk in the door.” She noted the positive outcomes, saying, “And guess what? Kids are paying better attention in class,” Clinton added. “They are talking to each other in the lunchroom, things that used to be part of your daily life when you were a child in school”
In her comments, Clinton also alluded to the need for legal consequences for those spreading disinformation online. Last month on MSNBC, she hinted at possible civil or criminal charges against Americans promoting “propaganda” in support of former President Trump, tying it back to the 2016 election in which she ran against him.
By highlighting the urgent need for social media reform, Clinton is calling for a serious reevaluation of the protections currently granted to tech companies. She suggests that only through comprehensive regulation can we protect the next generation from the unfiltered chaos of online platforms.
