Communications Decency Act (CDA)

The Communications Decency Act (CDA), enacted in 1996, is a U.S. law designed to regulate online content to protect children from harmful material. A key provision, Section 230, provides immunity to internet service providers and platforms, shielding them from liability for user-generated content. This means that websites like social media platforms are not held responsible for what users post. Proponents argue it encourages free speech and innovation, while critics raise concerns about harmful content and the responsibilities of these platforms to monitor and regulate what users share.