A few bigger social media company owners including Facebook, Snapchat, and X received an intense questioning by the United Senate Committee on January 31, 2024. The Senate is concerned about teenagers’ mental health and overall safety on these apps. There were several accusations of their inability to keep harmful content from reaching young teenagers. Social media has been proven to harm the mental health of young children through various studies. Things like depression and anxiety are caused by the media and the effects it has on young teens are life threatening.  

Senate republican member Lindsey Graham addressed the company owners boldly stating, “You have a product that’s killing people”. This comment earned applause from the families that gathered with pictures of loved ones they had lost due to harmful media. It is clear they were upset and wanted a change in the safety of the platforms. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg addressed the parents with an apology saying, “It’s terrible. No one should have to go through the things that your families have suffered, and this is why we invest so much and are going to continue doing industry-leading efforts to make sure that no one has to go through the things your families have had to suffer.” Parents believe his apology is not enough if action is not taken. 

Why is it so hard to sue companies for their harmful content? South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said, “I am tired of talking. I’m tired of having discussions. Open up the courthouse door. Until you do that, nothing will change. Until these people can be sued for the damage they’re doing, it is all talk.” He says this because Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in keeping any big social media owners from getting sued. It protects them and until it is taken away nobody can be held liable for any of the harms social media is causing. 

Recently Skyline’s debate class has been debating Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The students argued whether or not big companies, such as these social media platforms, should be held liable for what is posted on their websites. They debated both sides of the topic and had a good understanding of the effects it has. So what do they have to say about it? One student Cynthia Miller said, “I believe that companies should be held somewhat liable for what is shared because it is on their platform and they are allowing it to be posted without restriction or punishment.” Cynthia is also a part of Skyline High School’s Hope Squad and shared with me that social media has big effects on student’s mental health and any restriction at all on media would be very helpful.