Social Media and the First Amendment

As Congress and the states attempt to address a long list of real or perceived online problems, lawmakers' proposals often encounter the same roadblock: The First Amendment. Whether attempting to regulate social media platforms' content moderation or increase children's online safety and privacy, the government cannot dictate individuals' speech or companies' editorial decisions. With multiple ongoing lawsuits alleging that various state laws have overstepped this boundary, the courts will determine how the First Amendment applies to these digital policy issues, and lawmakers may need to go back to the drawing board and take a new approach to achieving their goals.

An expert panel discussion exploring the intersection between digital policy issues and the First Amendment, the free speech implications of proposals to address online problems, and how lawmakers could address these problems without infringing on users' or companies' speech rights.

Questions for the speakers? Ask on Slido.

Speakers

Moderator: Ashley Johnson  @ashleyjnsn

Senior Policy Manager

Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Aaron Mackey  @aaron_d_mackey

Free Speech and Transparency Litigation Director

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Kate Ruane  @kate_ruane

Director, Free Expression Project

Center for Democracy and Technology

Nicole Saad Bembridge  @nsaadbembridge

Litigation Center Associate Director

NetChoice