Political Quotes

“Mr. President, social media has become a big part of a lot of Americans' lives: TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram. People turn to social media for connection, for entertainment, to stay on top of the news, for pictures of the grandkids, for workout routines, and new recipes. Social media offers a lot of benefits and opportunities, but it is becoming ever more clear that social media has a darker side as well. Social media use can have a negative effect on mental health. It can foster negative and divisive engagement and serve as an outlet for illegal activity, from child pornography to human trafficking. It can have a particularly detrimental effect on the still-developing psyches of teenagers. The Wall Street Journal recently published a series of disturbing reports based on the information of a Facebook whistleblower provided that highlighted everything from the use of Facebook for criminal activity in developing countries to the company's own research showing the negative impact Instagram can have on teenager girls. Two weeks ago, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing where we heard firsthand from the Facebook whistleblower about the concerns that led her to come forward. And next week, the Commerce Committee will be holding a hearing with witnesses from Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, examining how these companies treat younger users.…”