During the hearing, Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, apologized to families who attributed their children's suicide or abuse to social media. In the video, Meghan emphasizes the need for change, drawing a parallel with the invention of cars and the subsequent introduction of seatbelts for safety. Harry advocates moving away from stigmatizing young kids, highlighting the responsibility to shape a positive world around them. The Sussexes stress the universal impact of the online world and social media, emphasizing the need for a safe and creative community. They describe the hearing as being in front of parents whose children have suffered or died due to online harms, noting their Archewell Foundation's support network for such families.
In a joint statement, Harry and Meghan commend the bravery of parents advocating for change, emphasizing the urgency of addressing online safety. They share insights gained from spending time with affected families and underscore the necessity for fundamental changes to keep children safe online.The video, originally recorded on World Mental Health Day in 2023, showcases the Sussexes' call for social media companies to implement better content moderation policies and address addictive app features for youngsters. The royal couple expressed their commitment to behind-the-scenes efforts to make social media use safer, better, and more positive. Meghan acknowledged the severity of the issue, stating that children are getting hurt and dying, underscoring the importance of continuous efforts despite having young children of their own.
The couple's involvement in mental health awareness includes participation in a panel discussion at a festival organized by non-profit Project Healthy Minds in New York. The event, coordinated by the Archewell Foundation, aimed to address mental health issues and advocate for positive changes in social media practices. 'There seems to be an intended positive entry point for creating community, but unfortunately, things have devolved. It's impossible to hear that and not feel compelled to help these families have their stories heard.'
On the same day in the UK, the Princess of Wales delivered a speech to young people gathered in Birmingham for a day of workshops and discussions to commemorate World Mental Health Day, with her husband Prince William in attendance.
This coincided with US politicians issuing a stern warning to social media giants, declaring they 'have blood on your hands.' The bosses of Meta, TikTok, and others faced scrutiny over the dangers children face on their platforms. During testimony before senators and families affected by online bullying and abuse, they were told, 'You have a product that's killing people.'
The US government is actively working on online safety laws due to concerns that websites are rampant with child exploitation. Persistent reports have highlighted risks to young users, such as algorithms connecting teens to predators.
Testifying before the Senate judiciary committee were the chief executives of X, Snapchat, and TikTok's Shou Zi Chew. However, the most intense scrutiny was directed at Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, who oversees Facebook and Instagram. Meta is currently facing a lawsuit from 40 US states, jointly accusing it of alleged failures to protect its youngest users.
Prosecutors argue that newly unsealed internal documents reveal Meta knew its algorithms were endangering children, despite public claims of safety. Senator Richard Blumenthal cited an example where Zuckerberg rejected pleas to employ 80 staff to tackle harmful content, highlighting a 'lack of investment.'
Senator Lindsey Graham, addressing Zuckerberg, claimed, 'You and the companies before us… have blood on your hands. You have a product that's killing people.' Zuckerberg, at one point, apologized to the families of victims attending the hearing.
In the UK, the Online Safety Act requires social media firms to remove illegal content and protect children from harmful material. Non-compliance could result in significant fines, and bosses may face jail if they fail to rectify the situation.
The death of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life after exposure to self-harm and suicide content online, played a crucial role in the passage of the legislation. Ian Russell, Molly's father, remarked, 'Today Mark Zuckerberg displayed outright denial about Meta's role in damaging the health and wellbeing of a generation of teens. Like Big Tobacco decades before, Big Tech is actively evading the industrial-level harm it's causing to young people.'
