Lawmakers have criticized the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X, Snap, and Discord for ignoring the content on their platforms that’s harmful for children. The leaders have been accused by the Senate Judiciary Committee for prioritizing profits while jeopardizing the well-being of children. They’ve been compared to cigarette makers and accused of having ‘blood on their hands’. While some leaders have shown up after being forced by subpoena, they’re still accused of neglecting harmful content on their platforms. Some lawmakers have pushed for protecting children online, with some calling for measures for stopping the spread of child sexual abuse material. Additionally, the White House has also pointed out the contribution of social media to the youth mental health crisis. However, several measures aimed at holding tech companies accountable have failed, as Congress has repeatedly struggled to pass relevant laws despite the increasing dangers posed to children online. While some companies have made changes to their services so as to safeguard children and teenagers, others have been accused of not doing enough in terms of bolstering the safety of young users.
