Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced fierce criticism from US senators during a Senate Judiciary Committee session on social media's risks to youth.
Zuckerberg, alongside executives from TikTok, Snap, X, and Discord, was scrutinized for the platforms' insufficient safeguards against online threats to children, such as sexual abuse and mental health impacts.
Senator Lindsey Graham accused them of having "blood on their hands," prompting Zuckerberg to apologize publicly to victims' families. Despite heated exchanges, Zuckerberg claimed social media does not generally harm teens' mental health.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew committed to investing over $2 billion in safety measures, echoing Zuckerberg's emphasis on evolving protection tactics against online predators.
Meta announced efforts to protect young users, including restricting strangers from messaging teenagers and tightening content guidelines on
Facebook and Instagram. The executives countered criticisms by highlighting substantial investments in safety features and staff.
Internal documents, however, revealed Meta's reluctance to expand teams monitoring online threats, fueling a lawsuit by 40 states alleging failures in protecting children. Current US law shields web platforms from liability, making it challenging to regulate content.
Proposed regulations like the Kids Online Safety Act seek to enhance protections, but political divisions and tech lobbying hinder progress.
These include algorithmic controls and mandatory age verification to prevent users under 13 from accessing social media platforms. Senator John Neely Kennedy stressed the need for legislative support to address these issues effectively.