We need to regulate social media

Social media is used by millions of people to communicate and share with one another. The two most widely used products are Facebook and Twitter.

Previously, the closest thing that we had to social media was the telephone. The telephone allowed people to conveniently communicate with one another at great distances. Of course, the big difference is that the telephone allows for only 1-to-1 communications.

The general population has come to depend on social media to an extent never imagined.

The social media giant is Facebook. Facebook currently has no government oversight. If it elected to allow only white people or only allow Democrats to use their product, it could. If it decided to selectively ban or censor people based on their political ideology, it could.

Social media has often been used as a tool to plan and communicate illegal and terroristic activities. That being said, there is no doubt that the vast majority of people who use social media use it in a socially responsible and completely legal manner.

The time has come to realize that social media is now a utility that needs government oversight and regulations similar to all other utilities.

We must now require Congress to take immediate action and pass laws that regulate social media. Short of government regulations, the only other course of action would be to nationalize social media. Which of course would be far more controversial.

DENNIS WHITE

Canonsburg and old people as you hear.” Enjoy your meal.

LINDA HALLER Mt. Lebanon