Why Internet Companies Can't Stop Awful Content

Abstract

This essay considers the widely held perception that the Internet is filled with awful content. That perception often overlooks (1) the pervasiveness of awful content offline, and (2) why content moderation efforts to control awful content will never be satisfactory. As a result, regulatory efforts to eliminate awful content online are doomed. In contrast, the existing immunity provided by 47 USC 230 has the surprising potential to lower the amount of awful content online below the offline content baselines.

Keywords: internet, content, section 230, 47 usc 230, cda, harmful content, online regulation, censorship, immunity

JEL Classification: D8, K42