Regulating Social Media
In the absence of adequate tech industry self-regulation, government needs to extend more systematic oversight of companies like Meta, Google, TikTok, and X.
We have shown how major social media companies exacerbate political polarization by enabling the spread of disinformation and other divisive content. One potential response would be for Congress to enhance the federal government’s consumer protection authority to oversee digital industries.
Publications
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Digital Risks to the 2024 Elections: Safeguarding Democracy in the Era of Disinformation
A new report by Paul M. Barrett, Justin Hendrix and Cecely Richard-Carvajal highlights that this year's primary tech-related threat to elections isn't AI-generated content, but the spread of false, hateful, and violent content on social media platforms.
Spreading The Big Lie: How Social Media Sites Have Amplified False Claims of U.S. Election Fraud
Our report explains how the major platforms are fueling distrust of elections and recommends reforms such as enhanced fact-checking and outside auditing.
A Platform ‘Weaponized’: How YouTube Spreads Harmful Content – And What Can Be Done About It,
Our report explains how the major platforms are fueling distrust of elections and recommends reforms such as enhanced fact-checking and outside auditing.
Enhancing the FTC’s Consumer Protection Authority to Regulate Social Media Companies
This white paper explains why the government needs to oversee platforms like Facebook and Twitter as a way to reduce misinformation, hate speech, and other forms of harmful content.
Fueling The Fire: How Social Media Intensifies U.S. Political Polarization – And What Can Be Done About It
Our report explains that while the major tech platforms may not cause partisan hatred in the first instance, they do exacerbate the problem, which has dire consequences for our democracy.
Recommendations to the Biden Administration on Regulating Disinformation and Other Harmful Content on Social Media
This white paper recommends a range of steps the Biden Administration should take to counter disinformation and other harmful content on major social media platforms.
Press
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Quick Takes
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Past Events
See allVanderbilt Social Justice Reporter and Thurgood Marshall Institute at the Legal Defense Fund Event Focused on Voting Rights in the South
8 AM - 4 PM