Calay News
Meta’s Chief Executive, Mark Zuckerberg, issued a public apology to families during a US. Senate hearing, acknowledging the detrimental impact of social media on children. Prompted by Republican Senator Josh Hawley, Zuckerberg stood up to address families displaying images of their children allegedly harmed by social media.
The hearing began with a video featuring children discussing instances of bullying on social media platforms. Senators shared distressing stories of young individuals taking their lives after falling victim to extortion following interactions with sexual predators online.
Senator Hawley, emphasizing the live television broadcast, asked Zuckerberg if he would apologize to the victims affected by Meta’s products. Zuckerberg, standing up and turning to address the families, expressed his regret for the hardships they endured. He stated, “I’m sorry for everything you have all been through. No one should go through the things that your families have suffered, and this is why we invest so much, and we are going to continue doing industry-wide efforts to make sure no one has to go through the things your families have had to suffer.”
The exchange between Hawley and Zuckerberg became tense, with Hawley accusing Meta’s product of “killing people.” Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, faces increased scrutiny over its role in facilitating online harm, particularly among younger users. The apology comes amid growing calls for stricter regulations and accountability for social media platforms.
