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Today, the chief executive officers of big tech companies are appearing before the United States Senate’s Judiciary Committee. The committee is aiming to get answers from these leaders about the dangers of social media platforms to teenagers and children. The corporate heads of Meta, TikTok, Snap, Discord, and X (formerly Twitter) will be called upon. Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has appeared before the Senate previously, and prominently leads the company behind Instagram and Facebook. However, the CEOs of Snap, Discord, and X will be appearing in front of the Senate for the first time.
A central point of the hearings has been the effect that social media sites have had on victims and families. As reported by CNN, this hearing was different from prior ones due to the amount of victims and families in attendance. The outlet reports that there were emotional and passionate responses to testimony, such as laughter, applause, and more. Further, some parents said that their children suffered or died due to the effects of social media. In one instance, New Mexico’s Attorney General, Raúl Torres, said that Zuckerberg “needs to start acting like a parent” in a press conference. Torres was obviously referencing Zuckerberg’s own children with his remark.
Senate leaders, to this point, have been unsatisfied by the insights provided by the CEOs. “Their CEOs showed up today with even more excuses,” said Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). “It was outrageous.”
At one moment, Zuckerberg stood before the people in the Senate hearing room and apologized. “I’m sorry for everything you have all been through,” the Meta CEO said. “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.”
What comes next for social media after the Senate hearing
Neither lawmakers nor families were content with the executives’ comments. So, the next target may be Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. This is a law that, among other things, prevents internet publishers from being held responsible for what is posted by users on their sites. For example, a social media app can’t be sued for what gets posted on its site.
“I am tired of talking. I’m tired of having discussions,” said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). “Open up the courthouse door. Until you do that, nothing will change. Until these people can be sued for the damage they’re doing, it is all talk.”
Currently, it’s hard to hold social media sites responsible. Until the CDA is amended or replaced, that is unlikely to change.