Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, expressed regret during a heated Capitol Hill hearing, apologizing to families who claimed their children suffered harm from social media use.
The U.S. Senate Judiciary session focused on the impact of social media on children, addressing issues like online exploitation.
Committee chair Dick Durbin criticized platforms for failing to protect children, while Senator Lindsey Graham accused Zuckerberg of having “blood on his hands.”
Families, with signs sharing their children’s stories, were present.
Zuckerberg apologized directly to them and emphasized Meta’s ongoing efforts for industry-wide improvements in child safety.
The CEOs pledged collaboration with lawmakers, parents, nonprofits, and law enforcement. Zuckerberg, however, didn’t commit to setting up a victim’s compensation fund, and lawmakers aim to address online child exploitation through legislation.
