In a US Senate hearing, the leaders of social media companies were asked to protect children.
CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg has apologized to families whose children have suffered because of social media.
Zuckerberg made his apology at a US Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Meta is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
The hearing dealt with numerous problems occurring in social media, such as sexual harassment, bullying, unrealistic beauty ideals and addiction caused by social media. At worst, the problems have driven young people to commit suicide.
According to children’s rights organizations and members of the Senate, the Finnish giants have not done enough to protect children.
The senate heard stories from parents about abuse experienced by children on social media. There were also parents whose child committed suicide.
Committee Chairman, Democrats Dick Durbin’s according to social media are responsible for many of the dangers that children face on the internet. Durbin accused the companies of not investing enough in safety, instead focusing on profit and putting children’s safety at risk.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley asked Zuckerberg if he had ever personally paid compensation to social media victims or their families.
Zuckerberg responded that he did not believe he had paid compensation. Hawley then asked if Zuckerberg wanted to apologize to the families present.
– I am sorry for everything you have had to experience. No one should have to experience the things that your family has suffered, Zuckerberg apologized at the hearing.
In addition to Zuckerberg, the heads of Tiktok, X, Snap and Discord were heard by the Senate. Zuckerberg was heard by the Senate yesterday for the eighth time.
AP