If We Were Serious About Getting Sexual Abuse Materials Off the Internet, We’d Support Amending Section 230

Section 230 grants Big Tech blanket immunity and enables them to continue to host everything from AI deepfake pornography to child sexual abuse.  

By Katie Kenlein 

 

Every day, we open up our favorite social media apps—many of us unaware that these apps are cesspools of child sexual abuse content. Too often, we think that illegal content is only found on the “dark web” or we want to believe it is hosted on foreign websites, when in fact, MIT recently uncovered that U.S. servers now host more child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) than any other country in the world. The problem will only continue to grow unless an amendment to Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act forces Big Tech platforms to take responsibility for explicit content hosted on their sites.   

 

Where We Are Today 

In 2023, Facebook removed 49.2 million pieces of content containing “Child Sexual Exploitation” and 7.3 million more containing “Child Nudity and Physical Abuse” from their platform. In the same year, Instagram removed 14.1 million pieces of content containing “Child Sexual Exploitation” and 1.3 million more containing “Child Nudity and Physical Abuse.” Right now, Meta has zero obligation or consequence when they miss content. And dozens of other sites and apps are missing and overlooking content all the time.

We know this because over ninety four percent of child sexual abuse materials reported to The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) were turned over by Meta—the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. It’s hard to believe every other platform and site— X, Pornhub, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, just to name a few—found less than six percent of the CSAM turned into NCMEC. 

The problem is none of those sites and companies are required by law to remove or report child sexual abuse materials found on their sites—all because Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act protects platforms from liability for content posted on their site by third parties. This blanket immunity shields Big Tech and enables them to continue to host everything from AI deepfake pornography to child sexual abuse. 

 

It’s Time to Act

This issue is not new. In an op-ed published in 2019 in the New York Times, Elliot Harmon wrote for the other side, arguing that amending Section 230 could push platforms to over-censor content to avoid liability, restricting free expression. Many, like Mr. Harmon, fear lawsuits may lead to the removal of lawful but controversial speech, undermining open discourse. 

Protecting children from exploitation must take precedence. Targeted reforms can ensure platforms swiftly remove CSAM while preserving free speech protections for lawful content. Scaled regulations can prevent excessive burdens on small platforms while holding all companies accountable for keeping children safe online. 

We can’t afford to wait for Big Tech to decide if they would like to regulate this horrific content, nor can we trust them to take responsibility to remove CSAM from their sites. These platforms have skirted responsibility long enough and need to be pressured to adhere to federal law.  

It’s time to ask our lawmakers to amend Section 230 and force Big Tech to comply with existing laws—for the sake of the kids.  

In the words of William Wilberforce, the man credited with abolishing the slave trade in England,

“You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you didn’t know.” 

 

 

About the Author 

Katie Kenlein is a senior communication arts major at Grove City College with political science and Spanish minors. Born and raised in Spokane, WA, Katie served as press secretary for Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and spent six years working on campaigns in Eastern Washington. A driven communicator, Katie is passionate about using her voice to fight for a culture where children are protected, inherent human dignity is treasured, and justice is championed. 

LISTEN MORE FROM KATIE KENLEIN: Liberty Mail: Interviewing Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family.

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer alone. They do not necessarily reflect the official position of Grove City College, the Institute for Faith and Freedom, or their affiliates.

Cover Image: Photo by Luke Pennystan on Unsplash.

“If We Were Serious About Getting Sexual Abuse Materials Off the Internet, We’d Support Amending Section 230.”

Written by Katarina Kenlein, Contributing Author and Marketing Fellow. Edited by Katelyn Livorse, Editor-in-Chief. Published by Clarissa Schuller, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator. Spring Publication cycle 2024-2025.