VIDEO: Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to families of children harmed by social media

On Jan. 31, 2024, the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify at a time when lawmakers and parents are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of social media on young people’s lives.

The hearing began with recorded testimony from kids and parents who said they or their children were exploited on social media. Throughout the hourslong event, parents who lost children to suicide silently held up pictures of their dead kids.

"They’re responsible for many of the dangers our children face online,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, who chairs the committee, said in opening remarks. “Their design choices, their failures to adequately invest in trust and safety, their constant pursuit of engagement and profit over basic safety have all put our kids and grandkids at risk.”

In a heated question and answer session with Mark Zuckerberg, Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley asked the Meta CEO if he has personally compensated any of the victims and their families for what they have been through.

“I don't think so,” Zuckerberg replied.

“There's families of victims here,” Hawley said. “Would you like to apologize to them?”

Zuckerberg stood, turned away from his microphone and the senators, and directly addressed the parents in the gallery.

“I’m sorry for everything you have all been through. No one should go through the things that your families have suffered,” he said, adding that Meta continues to invest and work on “industrywide efforts” to protect children.

[picmedic]

People expressing their anger about it on social media

[loveisallyouneed]

Funny, today, my 75 year old dad told me” what is this facebook doing to me? I was just watching and reading things on it and now I have someone asking my friends for money in my name, I can’t take it anymore “. Spent 4 hours trying to find the fake account, contact his friends to warn them, report the account to facebook ( nothing has happened yet) as these scammers still trying to reach people from his friend list… it’s not only the children who are suffering but our older generation too!!!!

[billyshay]

Eliminate ALL SOCIAL MEDIA. THAT'S HOW YOU SOLVE THE PROBLEMS. IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT A MAJOR NEGATIVE.

[chris_d-triple_three]

I don’t have a dog in this fight, but that sure was a lame apology.

[hugomontoya]

It ain’t all on him. People need to be responsible and they should know what they’re getting into as well. I learned that Facebook is a ground for stalkers, envious people, and scammers. No social media here since 2017 and life is better. YouTube/Google is the last piece of social media I need to erase.

[Ai-Quach]

Those families want compensation from Facebook 😂😂😂😂😂

[maxi]

He was put on the spot! Totally no remorse

[kcsweatman]

Congress has nothing better to do than this? No wonder we are falling off the cliff.

[GenesisMagbanua-tdgf]

That's not fair for both parties, the consumer of the product helds also responsibility above anything, and Zucjerberg was right by saying all he does is making tools.This is just, too absurd. But Kudos for Zuckerburg for addressing Senators recall.

[theearlynovamber]

Don’t like him but it’s not his job to monitor every kid on the internet.. Would be a little creepy if he did

[nawzattamrok]

Don’t blame something that can bring humanity together. Just because you failed to teach your kids better. It what I think.

[apollo-]

When Mark looks back on this, he'll remember this was the beginning of his villain arc good job America

[georgewashington]

Thats it just sorry and you are forgiven of your crimes, what a joke!

[scottpfeiffer]

Yay. Anothet congressional hearing thay does nothing but waste time, money and energy.

[tisuksp]

He dont mean it! He was just put on the spot!!

[labels]

that what you call an Apology sad so weak was more like a insult

[SSGSquadChannel]

What was his fault tho? He provided us with a platform and we have no right to blame him for us misusing it.

[onyx]

That wasn't an apology...that was like a little kid getting caught and his parents telling him to say he is sorry....that was PATHETIC.

[peterpeter]

one of biggest fascists in existence, today.

[Knarryofficial]

People blaming mark zuckerberg for teenagers were exposed to unwanted nudity is like blaming newton if someone fell from stairs.