Social media and the internet should be viewed as a utility.

 NEW SERVICES ARE USUALLY SPARED REGULATION UNTIL THEIR ABUSES BECOME APPARENT

ELECTRIC, TELEPHONE, TELEVISION AND RADIO  ARE ALL SIMILAR SERVICES

When electric power was first introduced to customers in the 1850's there was little regulation. The first regulations were mostly local, then evolved into state and finally some sort of federal regulation. Utilities that operate locally or in a single state would unlikely be regulated by the federal government. Utilities that operate country wide and across state line would most likely be regulated by the federal government.

We have become accustomed to utilities to being regulated. Electric, Gas, Television, Radio, Trucking, Railroads are all regulated to some extent. 

Historically, utilities have had their regulations steadily increased until finally they reach a point were their services and the rules for them reach a consensus, then regulation is often slowly relaxed as everyone knows the expectations for service.

The internet and social media are now only 20 years old. While many have used the internet before this time, they were few. These services have now become an integral part of everyday life for the vast majority of citizens worldwide. Up until recently these new services have enjoyed widespread support. They have now become an essential service, like electric and other services we take for granted as being necessary for a modern life. This applies to business and also private use.

We saw the first abuses by some of these internet sites quite a few years ago, when some sites banned the sale of certain legal items that were not liked by the managers. There were often other sites that were more accommodating and so there was no widespread outcry. 

2020 will likely go down in history as a breaking point for internet regulation. While certain things were always self regulated, such as child pornography, drugs, human trafficking or advocating violence or other illegal activities it was in 2020 that widespread, coordinated discrimination based on political opinion become a part of the practice of the internet and social media monopoly.

These services could have likely gone on for decades without substantial regulation if they would have been as coordinated in their desire for free speech and non-discriminatory practices. 

Would society support utilities denying electric services to certain people with certain political positions. This, even in today's partisan divide,  would be overwhelmingly opposed. 

Section 230 of  FCC regulation gives these companies immunity form liability for actions by those who use their service. This should be maintained as it it essential for a platform of free speech. If someone libels someone they still have the ability to sue the perpetrator, but not the service provider, this is as it should be.

Right now, there is a realization there is problem, and the providers have abused their lack of regulation. Since they have been unable to police their platforms and services with a fair and objective way, they have now opened themselves up to regulation. If we look at utility regulation, it often doesn't stop with just mandating equal opportunity of service, but often leads to controls on executive compensation and other rules that these adolescent authoritarians will find very oppressive. 

So far, members of congress have not been able to identify what needs to be regulated and how. 2020  has put a clear area for regulation under their microscope and as this service matures and congressmen understand the power of these companies and the money involved they will find a new and lucrative target for regulation.

Since they have become the facilitators of the party now in power, they may not see regulation right now, but their support and approval has been diminished to many of the citizens and it is inevitable that they will be regulated in the future.