Mark Zuckerberg, Linda Yaccarino, Evan Spiegel, and other prominent social media figures are currently enduring intense questioning from lawmakers, who express deep concerns about child exploitation and safety within their services.

Senator Lindsey Graham didn’t hold back, declaring, “Mr. Zuckerberg, you have blood on your hands,” garnering applause for his pointed opening statement. The hearing, spearheaded by Senators Dick Durbin and Graham, aimed to push for legislation compelling these tech firms to take more decisive action in protecting children from the pervasive dangers on their platforms.

While the focus of the hearing was on child exploitation and the prevalence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on social media, the overarching theme underscored the perceived lack of regulation, accusing tech companies of fostering addictive platforms that harm the mental well-being of young users.

Despite the intense scrutiny and ongoing child safety lawsuits, investors seemed largely unfazed, anticipating delayed financial repercussions pending potential regulations. Meta, in particular, faced legal challenges, with lawsuits alleging the company enabled sexual predators and neglected the well-being of children in favor of growth.

Proposed bills, such as the Stop CSAM Act and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), aimed to hold tech giants accountable by allowing victims to sue platforms facilitating exploitation. However, privacy advocates voiced concerns, fearing potential censorship and privacy compromises for minors.

During the hearing, tech executives detailed their efforts to combat child exploitation, from working with law enforcement to proactively identifying potential threats.

Mark Zuckerberg emphasized Meta’s commitment, revealing a substantial investment of over $20 billion since 2016 in safety and security measures.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel outlined initiatives to safeguard children on their messaging platform and pledged support for KOSA. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew echoed the commitment to safety, emphasizing the employment of over 40,000 trust and safety professionals.

The legislative landscape remains uncertain, with proposals seeking to establish a “duty of care” for tech firms. Meta CFO Susan Li acknowledged increasing legal and regulatory challenges but noted that, so far, regulatory headwinds haven’t significantly impacted the company’s sales, leaving investors pleased with recent stock performance.