🎯 The Illusion of Action
Last year, the U.S. Congress summoned the leaders of the major social media platforms for a much-publicized hearing. The goal, at least on paper, was important: protecting our children online. However, instead of leading to actionable steps, much of the discussion devolved into political theater.
One of the few tangible outcomes?
Meta decided to shut down its own content validation team, the team responsible for monitoring and verifying the nature of content on its platforms.
Why?
Because they realized that simply having such a team made them a target. If they claimed to review content, they could be held accountable for it.
đźš§ Platforms Are Not the Police
I often compare the digital world to our roads. Think of telecom providers as those who build the highways, responsible for infrastructure. Digital platforms are like car manufacturers, giving us the means to travel.
But just as we don’t expect Toyota or a road company to enforce driver behavior, we shouldn’t expect social media platforms to police every user. That job belongs to regulators.
🌍 A Borderless World, A Regulatory Void
Here’s the problem: roads exist within countries. Each has its own laws and enforcement. But the digital world? It knows no borders. Harmful behavior, bullying, exploitation, and misinformation flow freely across apps, servers, and time zones.
We’re left without a single authority responsible for setting global standards.
đź§ The Need for an Over-Authority
What we’re missing is a global entity, an overarching authority to regulate the digital world. A body with teeth. Not owned by governments or corporations, but with the ability to define and enforce rules that protect the most vulnerable, especially our children.
Sounds like science fiction? It might be. But maybe that’s exactly what we need.
🌌 Sci-Fi Had It Right All Along
Take Star Wars, for example. The Galactic Republic tried to govern thousands of planets through a central senate and shared laws. However, even that grand vision crumbled under the weight of bureaucracy and manipulation.
Today’s digital world faces a similar fate. We don’t need lightsabers or hyperspace, but we do need structure, clarity, and above all: accountability
🛡️ What We’re Doing at PureSight
At PureSight, we’re not waiting for global policy to catch up. We’ve built AI-powered tools that empower parents to protect their kids online, right now. Tools that detect risks like cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and harmful content. Tools that work regardless of what the tech giants choose to do.
Because families can’t afford to wait.
đź§ A Call for Vision and Action
Technology alone isn’t enough. We need bold thinking, shared responsibility, and a new kind of regulator for a borderless world. Our kids deserve nothing less.
Let’s build something better for them.
Royi Cohen, CEO of PureSight