By Zainab Shafiq 
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg issues a public apology during a contentious US Senate hearing, addressing concerns raised by families regarding the impact of social media content on children. The four-hour hearing includes tough questions for tech executives from TikTok, Snap, X, and Discord, focusing on protecting children from online exploitation and allegations of self-harm linked to social media content.
Lawmakers press the CEOs on their responsibility and actions to safeguard children on their platforms. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew denies any affiliation with the Chinese Communist Party, emphasizing commitment to addressing issues raised during the hearing. Discord CEO Jason Citron faces a tense exchange with Senator Lindsey Graham about proposed bills related to online safety.
The hearing revolves around tech companies’ stance on pending legislation holding them accountable for content. Zuckerberg faces intense scrutiny, particularly regarding Instagram’s handling of potential child sexual abuse material. Following the hearing, parents of victims rally outside, urging lawmakers to pass the Kids Online Safety Act.
Former Meta senior staff member Arturo Béjar criticizes Meta’s approach, emphasizing the need for the company to take responsibility for creating a safe environment for teens. Tech giants disclose the number of content moderators employed on their platforms, with Meta and TikTok reporting 40,000 moderators each. Social media industry analyst Matt Navarra expresses skepticism about the hearing leading to significant regulatory changes in the US social media landscape in 2024.
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