Clinton Warns of 'Total Control' Loss Without Social Media Moderation

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated in early October 2024 that a lack of content moderation on social media platforms could lead to a loss of "total control," advocating for stronger regulation and the repeal of Section 230. Her remarks, made during a CNN appearance, highlighted concerns over the societal impact of unchecked online content, particularly on children. The comments were delivered as part of a discussion surrounding her new book, "Something Lost and Something Gained."

Clinton emphasized the urgent need for national action on social media regulation, criticizing Congress for its "dysfunctional" approach to these issues. She argued that current protections for platforms, such as Section 230 of the Communications Act, are outdated and allow harmful content to proliferate. "If the platforms — whether it’s Facebook or Twitter or X or Instagram or TikTok, whatever they are — if they don’t moderate and monitor the content we lose total control," Clinton explained.

The former presidential candidate linked unregulated social media to rising anxiety and depression in children, as well as the spread of dangerous material like child pornography and threats of violence. She called for social media safety regulations to be a top legislative priority. Clinton also praised initiatives in states like California and New York that have begun implementing social media regulations, pushing for similar federal measures.

Her statements have ignited further debate on the balance between free speech and content moderation, drawing both support from those concerned about online harms and criticism from advocates of unrestricted online expression. The discussion underscores ongoing efforts to define the responsibilities of tech companies in managing user-generated content and its broader societal implications.