Social media and messaging platforms are de facto regulators of online speech and therefore key decisionmakers in combating online influence operations. In recent years, major platforms have begun maintaining public “community standards”—written policies on a wide range of problematic activity like hate speech, violence, and influence operations.

To achieve broad and enduring benefits, disparate groups working to combat influence operations need to build a more unified, professional field.

While Generation Z will inherit the fallout from failures of U.S. leadership at home and abroad, it has the tools and perspective to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future. Four principles of a Gen Z foreign policy should guide today’s policymakers for tomorrow’s global challenges.

Research on influence operations requires effective collaboration across industry and academia. Federally funded research and development centers provide a compelling model for multi-stakeholder collaboration among those working to counter influence operations.

Social media companies are better positioned than governments to meet the enforcement challenges posed by influence operations that aren't aligned with hostile states but still cause harm.