US Congress Summons Instagram Boss Because Social Media Is Harmful To Teens

Instagram's algorithm is considered a danger to teenagers and children in the US. (photo: doc. pixabay)

JAKARTA - After months of public discussion, Instagram boss Adam Mosseri will finally face and testify before the United States (US) Congress on December 6.

Mosseri will be a witness following the scrutiny of Senate lawmakers in the US over the past few months. This surveillance is not without reason, they are concerned about how Facebook can harm the mental health of young users.

"He's the top man on Instagram, and the whole nation is asking about why Instagram and other tech platforms have created so much harm and harm by directing toxic content at children with this incredibly powerful algorithm," said subcommittee chair Richard Blumenthal who asked Mosseri. come, told the New York Times.

Since whistleblower Frances Haugen leaked an internal Facebook report for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) earlier this year, senators have held a series of hearings on how products like Instagram can encourage self-destructive behavior in their teens, especially in young women.

Citing Engadget, Thursday, November 25, the consumer protection subcommittee on the Senate Commerce Committee held the first hearing in the series in September by summoning Facebook's head of global security, Antigone Davis.

Responding to the WSJ news at the time, Davis denied that Instagram was dangerous. Noting this dispute, Blumenthal asked Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, to appear before the committee to correct the inaccurate testimony given by Davis.

"Parents across America are deeply disturbed by the ongoing reports Facebook knows that Instagram can cause damaging and long-lasting damage to many teens and children, especially their mental health and well-being," Blumenthal told Mosseri on his invitation.

"Those parents, and the twenty million teenagers who use your app, have a right to know the truth about Instagram's safety."

Blumenthal plans to ask Mosseri to commit to making Instagram's ranking and recommendation algorithm transparent, in part so that experts can see if and how the platform is promoting potentially harmful content.

Blumenthal noted that leaders like Snap, TikTok and YouTube made similar commitments after they testified at previous hearings. Blumenthal also said he would ask Mosseri about Instagram's recommendation system and how they can lead children down a dangerous rabbit hole.