Social Media Regulation: Models and Proposals

Abstract

The article deals with the topical issue of social media regulation. It is based on the libertarian theory of economic freedom because, in our understanding, it allows the elaboration of a future-oriented human rights based-on regulatory approach. This approach is premised on both freedom of speech and the right to private initiative protection in contemporary media environment. In the analysis, the recently structured Facebook and Instagram Oversight Board for Content Decisions are also discussed. The article presents arguments for the establishment of an internal body (arbitration) that can practically resolve disputes among participants and between participants and any social media platform on a regular basis. Such a body can also support the effective application of the media codes of conduct without governmental involvement and may strengthen self-regulation of platforms.

Criminogenic and harm-enabling features of social media platforms: The case of sharenting practices

“…Of course, self-regulation alone is not enough; appropriate regulatory procedures are also required (consider, for instance, Zancova and Dimitrov, 2020; Tyler et al, 2021). More generally, there have been calls for increased accountability of social media platforms (for instance, see Leerssen, 2015) and for better regulations and controls backed by a strong sanction regime against misbehaving platforms (Wise, 2019).…”