In these politically polarized times, we think it’s worth noting examples of bipartisanship, particularly when they involve efforts to protect children.
One such occurred last Tuesday, with the U.S. Senate, by a vote of 91 to 3, passing a bill that would force tech companies to move to prevent harm to children on online platforms. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut wrote the bill with Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.
Under the measure, companies would be required to reduce harm to children, “including bullying and violence, the promotion of suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual exploitation and advertisements for illegal products such as narcotics, tobacco or alcohol,” The Associated Press reported.
The measure would do that by creating a “duty of care” for social networking platforms, with companies facing liability for failing to safeguard content.
The bill now goes to the House, which is in recess until September and where it faces an uncertain future.
The tech companies oppose the measure, and others have objected to the bill on free speech grounds. But as we journalists know quite well, free speech is not absolute. News outlets are held to standards regarding obscenity and libel. It’s long past time for social media platforms to face some accountability as well.
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