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Facebook Grilled By Congress on Instagram's Harmful Impact on Teen Health

Facebook’s global head of safety faced off against the U.S. Senate on Thursday to answer questions about Instagram's reported negative effects on children. Senators compared the company to big tobacco and debated if current child protection laws needed to be updated. Facebook's woes aren't over either: A company whistleblower is expected to publicly testify on Oct. 5 before the same committee. Read what happened at today's hearing and learn about Instagram's now-paused kids app.

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Facebook Grilled By Congress on Instagram's Harmful Impact on Teen Health
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    Congress grills Facebook exec on Instagram’s harmful effect on children

    Congress grills Facebook exec on Instagram’s harmful effect on children

    Antigone Davis, Facebook’s global head of safety, faced a grilling before the US Congress on Thursday in a hearing examining the impacts of the company’s products on children. Thursday’s hearing of the Senate commerce, science and transportation subcommittee comes after a series of Wall Street …

    The Facebook Files: Facebook's Documents About Instagram and Teens

    The Facebook Files: Facebook's Documents About Instagram and Teens

    By Scott Monty

    Facebook released two decks loaded with annotations dismissing their own internal research, only hours before a major hearing, feigning “transparency”… But the WSJ promptly called them on their B.S. and then released FOUR additional Facebook decks that informed their reporting. The full slides in these PDFs are WILD. In one presentation, Facebook researchers explain exactly how and why Instagram drives teen girls into downward spirals of depression in ways that other platforms don't.

    What was Instagram's Kids App?

    Take a closer look at Instagram's plans for a dedicated app made for users 13-years-old and younger.

    What Happens Next?

    Congress is continuing to investigate Facebook's impact on the health of teens. The Senate will hold another hearing on Oct. 5 in which a whistleblower is expected to testify publicly.

    Learn More About the Facebook Files

    Want to know more about the latest scandal that the social media company is caught up in? Check out this Storyboard.

    'The Facebook Files:' Investigation Shows Company Knew Harm Platform Caused

    'The Facebook Files:' Investigation Shows Company Knew Harm Platform Caused

    Leaked documents to The Wall Street Journal reveal the social media giant was not only aware of the negative effects its platform had on users, but that it failed to properly address them. The investigation found that Facebook knew Instagram was harmful to teen girls, it allowed human and drug trafficking to persist, and also failed to prevent its own platform from undermining COVID-19 vaccination efforts supported by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Here's everything you need to know.

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