Instagram (parent company Meta,
"At Instagram, we've been working for a long time to keep young people safe on the app; as part of that work, today we're announcing some new tools and features to keep young people even safer on Instagram." Mosseri wrote. "We'll be taking a stricter approach to what we recommend to teens on the app."
According to Instagram's post, this stricter approach would come in the form of "tools" available to teens and parents. For teens, this includes the ability to delete posted content in bulk, as well as reminders to "take a break." Parents can monitor app usage and set restrictions.
Instagram's timing is suspect, to say the least. Members of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security seemed to think the same. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called the effort a PR stunt at Mosseri's Wednesday appearance.
Senators were calm in their grilling of the Meta executive, but the tone of the proceedings reflected growing impatience among lawmakers.
"This is now the 4th time in the past two years that we have spoken with someone from Meta. The conversation continues to repeat itself ad nauseum." Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said during the hearing. "Tennesseans want Big Tech to be more transparent and to accept responsibility for your actions. And time and time again, you say things that make it sound like you are hearing us and agree - but then nothing changes."
The tense hearing comes after whistleblower Frances Haugen aired pre-Meta Facebook's dirty laundry before lawmakers. The laser-focus of the bipartisan committee, even amid an increasingly polarized political atmosphere, reflects the growing intolerance of big tech on Capitol Hill.
