(NEWSnet)  - Sexual predators. Addictive features. Suicide and eating disorders. Unrealistic beauty standards. Bullying.

These are just some of the issues young people are dealing with on social media — and children’s advocates and lawmakers say companies are not doing enough to protect them.

On Wednesday, the CEOs of Meta, TikTok and X were among those who before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify as lawmakers and parents have become increasingly concerned about the effects of social media on young people’s lives.

Republican and Democratic senators have shown agreement throughout this discussion, though it’s not yet clear if their direction will be enough to pass legislation.

The hearing began with recorded testimony from kids and parents who said they or their children were exploited on social media. In the meantime, parents who lost children to suicide silently held up pictures of their dead kids while seated in the audience.

“They’re responsible for many of the dangers our children face online,” U.S. 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 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?”

As parents rose and held up their children’s pictures, Zuckerberg turned to face them and apologized for what they have been through.

Hawley continued to press Zuckerberg, asking if he’d take personal responsibility for the harms his company has caused. Zuckerberg stayed on message and repeated that Meta’s job is to “build industry-leading tools” and empower parents.

“To make money,” Hawley cut in.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, the top Republican on the Judiciary panel, echoed Durbin’s sentiments and said he’s prepared to work with Democrats to solve the issue.

Graham then told the executives their platforms have enriched lives but that it is time to deal with “the dark side.”

And while child safety advocates say overall actions from the companies has fallen short, here are some of the steps that have been taken.

  • Snapchat began backing a federal bill that would create a legal liability for apps and social platforms who recommend harmful content to minors. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel reiterated the company’s support on and asked the industry to back the bill.
  • TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said TikTok is vigilant about enforcing its policy barring children under 13 from using the app.
  • CEO Linda Yaccarino said X, formerly Twitter, will support Stop CSAM Act, a federal bill that make it easier for victims of child exploitation to sue tech companies.
  • Meta has increased child safety features in recent weeks, announcing earlier this month that it will start hiding inappropriate content from teenagers’ accounts on Instagram and Facebook, including posts about suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.

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