“I’m sorry for everything you’ve all been through, it’s terrible. No one should have to go through what your families went through.”
Mark Zuckerberg, boss of tech company Meta, spoke the above words last week during a US Senate hearing on what Facebook and other social media companies have failed to protect children from bullying, hatred and abuse.
Zuckerberg wasn’t the only one who had to appear at the gate. The bosses of TikTok, X, Snapchat and the little-known Discord in the Netherlands were also heard. The difference was that Meta’s boss had already been allowed to provide explanations about the harmful consequences of his profitable products and services seven times before.
The US Senate hearings are in keeping with a government at arm’s length, which is considering intervening once the damage has been done. And that fits in with the idea of a liberal economy, where companies are given every opportunity to make money and disruption is prioritized above care for vulnerable groups.
Less happy because of the socials
The hearings also concern us. Research agency Newcom recently presented a report showing that more than six million Dutch people believe that social media pose a danger to our mental well-being. More than two million people, especially young people, say they feel less happy when they use ‘social media’.
No one is required to join Facebook, read messages via X, or follow what’s going on on TikTok. In that sense, the problem is easily solved. What is complicated is that both companies and government services use social media to send their supposedly important messages.
Even more difficult is that social media has a built-in addictive effect. This is also evident from the Newcom research. More than four million Dutch people have often considered leaving Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, but do not do so, against their better judgment.
Zuckerberg promised better protection for younger users during the hearing. A day later, the stock market value of his company increased by more than 210 billion euros. There is therefore no shortage of money for more innovations. Perhaps it is a good idea not to leave all ‘improvements’ to tech companies. The European Elections are in June.