The panel discussion featured James Steyer, CEO and Founder of Common Sense Media and the editor of Which Side of History?: How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives. He was joined by contributing authors Senator Mark Warner of Vermont and Bruce Reed, Founder and CEO of Civic and former Chief of Staff to Vice President Joe Biden, and by Tech Institute Faculty C0-Director Julie Cohen.

The discussion, moderated by Common Sense Washington Director April McClain-Delaney (L’89), focused on the role technology companies play in shaping our democratic structures and values. Steyer opened the panel by describing how he shaped the book and highlighting concerns regarding children and technology issues.

Reed and Senator Warner focused on current issues with social media and content moderation, as well as the need to reform existing regulations, such as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, to better incentivize moderation decisions.

Professor Cohen said that we need to look more holistically at the challenges created by networked information platforms. Cohen explained that simply applying current law to platforms is similar to viewing every problem as a nail simply because your preferred tool is a hammer. Instead, she argued, policymakers should more closely examine and define the problems caused by a new paradigm of information and communications and then develop appropriate tools.

Tech Institute Acting Director Hillary Brill and Georgetown Law Dean William Treanor provided opening remarks highlighting Georgetown’s and the Tech Institute’s roles in convening events with thought leaders, policymakers, and academics on issues at the forefront of technology, law, and policy.