For nearly 30 years, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act has shaped the modern internet. It helped America lead the digital economy, encouraged innovation and allowed new companies to grow without constant fear of lawsuits. That law served a purpose. But America has never believed laws should stay frozen while society changes.
The internet today is very different from the early days of simple message boards and chat rooms. A small number of massive tech companies now shape public debate, influence culture, and control what millions of families and children see every day. These platforms are not neutral conduits anymore. They actively curate, promote and profit from content. That reality demands accountability.
I support the bipartisan Sunset Section 230 Act introduced by Sens. Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin because it forces a long-overdue national conversation. Sunsetting the law over two years does not destroy the internet. It simply tells Congress to update the rules so they reflect today’s reality instead of the 1990s.
Some argue Section 230 protects small tech companies from lawsuits. That concern matters. Conservatives believe in entrepreneurship, free markets and innovation. Any reform should ensure startups are protected while large corporations are not given permanent legal shields without responsibility. The goal should be balance, not punishment.
Family safety must also be part of this discussion. I am a father. My daughter is 4 years old and my son is just 3 months old. Like millions of American parents, I see how early children are exposed to online content. Parents are worried about mental health impacts, online exploitation, misinformation and the loss of parental control in digital spaces. Ignoring those concerns is not responsible leadership.
We can support free speech and still demand accountability. Those principles are not opposites. Freedom works best when responsibility comes with it. That idea is deeply rooted in conservative values and in the broader American tradition of ordered liberty.
Technology companies have accomplished remarkable things. They connect families, create jobs, and drive economic growth. But with great influence comes responsibility. No industry this powerful should operate indefinitely under rules written before smartphones, social media, or modern algorithms existed.
As President Ronald Reagan famously said, “Trust, but verify.” That principle applies here. We can trust innovation while still verifying that families, children, and communities are protected. Updating Section 230 should not be about silencing voices or stifling entrepreneurship. It should be about transparency, accountability and ensuring the digital world reflects the values we want for our families.
As one tech policy expert recently observed, “The question is no longer whether the internet needs rules. It’s whether the rules reflect the internet we actually have.” That is exactly the conversation Congress should be having now.
So here is the real question for policymakers and the public: If we update laws for every major industry as society evolves, why should the most powerful information platforms in history continue operating under rules written before social media even existed?
Andreas Farmakalidis
Granada Hills
