Lawmakers Charge Tech CEOs with Failing to Protect Kids Online

By Percival Parlade Jr.
Spectrum Staff Writer

It’s not every day you see Capitol Hill united in one accord. However, during the recent hearings, Capitol Hill bashed on the CEOs of top social media companies.

The CEOS of Tik Tok, Meta (formerly Facebook), Snapchat, Discord, and X (previously known as Twitter) gathered before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 31 to discuss and answer questions regarding the effects of their platform.

The central theme of the hearing revolved around the negative effects of social media on the young users. Accusation of their products and apps cause depression, mental health issues, and even suicidal tendencies among the youth. While the CEOs defended their products, families who blame social media for the death of a loved one congregated to show their disdain about the failings of the media sites.

This discussion, however, did not stop at the doors of Capitol Hill. In high schools and colleges nationwide, students and alumni expressed their opinions and personal stories about social media. Representatives of different universities and schools gave their experience regarding these apps.

“Social media can be toxic at times. There is just much hate,” said Krisha Melchor, a student from the College of Southern Maryland. This sentiment was followed by similar unfavorable and negative emotions because of viewing these specific apps. Arienbelle Aguilla, a George Washington University graduate stated, “Comparison of personal lives and glamorized lifestyles is a big thing that students face, and it really heightened during the pandemic. And with people stuck at home, all people could really do is just watch television and watch the media showing sickness and death which is of course extremely bad for the mind.”

The argument began to split with others giving opposing opinions. “Honestly, the social media sites are not exactly in the wrong. While it gives a platform to negativity, it is up to users in the way they react and feel,” Sanie Fragata, from Virginia Commonwealth University, said. Others agreed and reaffirmed that social media applications may not technically be the source of all these troubles. Bowie State alumni Allyson Mojica stated, “Parents should be held partially accountable. What children and the youth view can be managed through other apps. The world will always have negativity but it is up to us as adults to be able to guide and protect until the young are ready.”

While the discussion began to divide, the majority of the viewpoints leaned more towards the side of caution.

“I think we should be more mindful for the coming future. The companies may not be fully at fault at what users put out there but that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be regulations for them.” Elvin Fragata, a high school student from Colonial Forge High School. “You’ll never be able to stop all these nasty things people will say but even taking preventative actions might make it better. It's a first step if anything.”

While the battling opinions continue on, one thing is certain. The sentiments on a national level seem to be the same. The impassioned voices of the families present at the hearing echo the frustrations and resentment of the unregulated influence and repercussions of these social media apps.