Facebook and ‘Instagreed’ execs grilled by lawmakers over mental health impact on children

Health mind Wellness

US lawmakers pressed Facebook on Thursday about the harmful effects its services could have on young people, especially teenagers, as concern mounts about what the social network knows regarding its impact on users.

The Senate hearing, titled Protecting Kids Online: Facebook, Instagram, and Mental Health Harms, follows a series of stories in The Wall Street Journal about the social network’s knowledge of the harm its platforms cause and its efforts to downplay those harms publicly. One of the stories reported that Facebook-owned Instagram’s internal research shows the photo-sharing app specifically hurts the mental health of teen girls, particularly regarding body image. 

US lawmakers pressed Facebook on Thursday about the harmful effects its services could have on young people, especially teenagers, as concern mounts about what the social network knows regarding its impact on users.

The Senate hearing, titled Protecting Kids Online: Facebook, Instagram, and Mental Health Harms, follows a series of stories in The Wall Street Journal about the social network’s knowledge of the harm its platforms cause and its efforts to downplay those harms publicly. One of the stories reported that Facebook-owned Instagram’s internal research shows the photo-sharing app specifically hurts the mental health of teen girls, particularly regarding body image.

“Facebook has shown us once again that it is incapable of holding itself accountable,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut Democrat who chairs the subcommittee, said Thursday. “We know it chooses the growth of its products over the well being of our children.”

Facebook’s global head of safety, Antigone Davis, represented the company at the hearing. She told senators she “strongly disagrees” with the Journal’s characterization of the company’s research, noting that its internal studies also showed the positive impact the app can have on teens. On Wednesday evening, Facebook released some of the research publicly and said it planned to look at ways to release more information.

The hearing, which was heated at times, is another example of the intensifying scrutiny of the world’s largest social network. US lawmakers of both political parties have demanded more answers from tech platforms, especially social networks like Facebook, about the impact they have on young users. Blumenthal said Thursday’s hearing is intended to help lawmakers draft legislation that’ll prompt social networks like Facebook to take action. © Angela Lang/CNET

Facebook owns Instagram, a social media app popular among teens.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, said Facebook has lost trust and that lawmakers will hold the social network accountable. At several points during the hearing, lawmakers compared Instagram to Big Tobacco, hooking teens early to social media by exploiting their desire to be popular online. 

“IG stands for Instagram but it also stands for Instagreed,” said Sen. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat. He also compared Instagram to Big Tobacco, calling it the “first childhood cigarette” that gets kids hooked.

At one point, Facebook’s Davis disputed the importance of the company research at the center of the Journal’s reports, which was also a frequent point of reference for the senators. 

“I want to be clear that this research is not a bombshell,” Davis said. “It’s not causal research.” 

Blumenthal pushed back, calling the research “powerful, gripping, riveting evidence” that Facebook knew of the harms its platforms have on children. He said his office created an Instagram account that identified its owner as a 13-year-old girl, adding the account was recommended content about eating disorders and self-harm. 

The Connecticut senator inspired a brief flurry on Twitter when he asked Davis if Facebook would get rid of finstas, private Instagram accounts often maintained by teenagers in order to escape parental supervision.

“Will you commit to ending finsta?” Blumenthal asked Davis, who replied that finstas aren’t official Facebook products.

The exchange prompted a flurry of jokes on Twitter, which the senator joined by tweeting out the “How Do You Do, Fellow Kids?” meme featuring actor Steve Buscemi.  The meme is often used as a response to people trying to enter a digital community they aren’t part of.

Instagram on Monday said it would pause work on a children’s version of its app. Davis said the company has been working on this project to give parents more control over their children’s social media accounts. 

“We recognize how important it is to get this right and we’ve heard your concerns, which is why we announced that we are pausing the project to take more time,” she said. Davis added that Facebook is exploring more tools that would “nudge” users to more “uplifting content” or to take a break if they’re spending too much time on the platform. 

Thursday’s hearing is one of several the subcommittee has planned. Lawmakers are also seeking answers from other social networks. On Oct. 5, a Facebook whistleblower is scheduled to testify before US lawmakers. The whistleblower, who hasn’t been identified, will be interviewed on 60 Minutes on Oct. 3.

Original Article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/facebook-exec-grilled-by-lawmakers-over-mental-health-impact-on-children/ar-AAOX33Y

21 thoughts on “Facebook and ‘Instagreed’ execs grilled by lawmakers over mental health impact on children

  1. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is needed to get set up?

    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty
    penny?
    I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% certain.
    Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Cheers

  2. If you would like to grow your experience only keep
    visiting this web site and be updated with the newest information posted here.

  3. A fascinating discussion
    is definitely worth comment. I do
    believe that you should publish more about this issue,
    it may not be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t
    talk about
    these issues. To the next!
    Kind regards!!

  4. Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing the
    other
    person’s blog link on
    your page at appropriate place and other person will also do similar for you.

  5. Link exchange is nothing else however it is simply placing the other
    person’s blog link on
    your page at suitable place and other person will also do similar for you.

  6. Fine way of explaining, and nice
    paragraph
    to get information about my presentation focus, which
    i am going to convey in college.

  7. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you
    relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know
    what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence
    on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us
    something enlightening to read?

  8. Very nice post. I simply stumbled
    upon your blog and wanted to mention
    that I have really loved browsing your weblog
    posts. After all I will be subscribing in your feed and I hope
    you write again soon!

  9. Your style is really unique in comparison to
    other folks I’ve read stuff from.
    Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just
    book mark this web
    site.

  10. It’s not my first time to pay a visit this web page,
    i am
    browsing this web site dailly and take nice facts from here everyday.

  11. I’ve read several just right stuff here.
    Certainly value bookmarking for
    revisiting. I wonder how a lot attempt you put to create the sort
    of great informative web site.

  12. If you are going for best contents
    like me, simply visit this site every day because it provides feature contents,
    thanks

  13. After looking at a handful of the blog posts on your web site,
    I seriously
    appreciate your technique of writing a blog.

    I saved as a favorite
    it to my bookmark site list and will
    be checking back in the near future. Please check out my web site as
    well and tell me how you feel.

  14. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was
    wondering what all is needed to get setup?
    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?

    I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% sure.

    Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Many thanks

  15. I think this is among the most vital info for me.

    And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few
    general things,
    The site style is wonderful,
    the articles is really great
    : D. Good job, cheers

Comments are closed.

Related Posts