Blackburn Involved In Probe Into "Facebook Coverup Of Its Platforms’ Negative Impact On Teens & Children"

  • Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, announced that their subcommittee would take additional steps "to look into Facebook’s knowledge of its platforms’ negative impact on teenagers and young users, as revealed today in the Wall Street Journal."

 

They said, “It is clear that Facebook is incapable of holding itself accountable.

The Wall Street Journal’s reporting reveals Facebook’s leadership to be focused on a growth-at-all-costs mindset that valued profits over the health and lives of children and teens.

 

"When given the opportunity to come clean to us about their knowledge of Instagram’s impact on young users, Facebook provided evasive answers that were misleading and covered up clear evidence of significant harm.

 

"We are in touch with a Facebook whistleblower and will use every resource at our disposal to investigate what Facebook knew and when they knew it - including seeking further documents and pursuing witness testimony. The Wall Street Journal’s blockbuster reporting may only be the tip of the iceberg.”

 

In August, Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal wrote Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg "calling on the tech giant to release its internal research on the potentially harmful impact of its platforms - including Instagram Kids - on youth mental health and explain how this research has been used to further promote and market their products to young users."

 

In May, they held a hearing on protecting kids online. They said, "With children’s screen time surging on popular apps like TikTok, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram, kids are being exposed to safety and privacy issues." 

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 7/12/2025

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ADKIRSON,JAMES ... more

Bridge Inspections Prompt Lane Closures On I-75 In Bradley County
  • 7/11/2025

Drivers traveling on I-75 in Bradley County should be aware of an upcoming bridge inspection that will temporarily impact traffic. Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time, Tennessee Department ... more

Work Replacing Drainpipe Prompts Closure Of Section Of Highway 41 In Marion County On Monday
  • 7/11/2025

Drivers traveling on Highway 41 (Cummings Highway) in Marion County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will temporarily impact traffic. On Monday from 6 a.m. to ... more