Welch calls on tech CEOs to protect children online

WASHINGTON (WCAX) - Vermont Sen. Peter Welch was among lawmakers Wednesday who grilled tech company leaders about the harm their platforms can cause.

The CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify at a time when lawmakers and parents are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of social media on young people’s lives.

Welch said the industry needs an independent watchdog to oversee big tech.

“There is a consensus today that didn’t exist, say, 10 years ago, that there is a profound threat to children, to mental health, to safety,” said Welch, D-Vermont. “There’s not a dispute. I appreciate the industry standard decision and steps you’ve taken in your companies, but it’s not enough.”

In a heated question and answer session with Mark Zuckerberg, Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley pushed the Meta CEO to apologize to families in attendance.

Welch has co-led the Digital Platform Commission Act, which is a bill to establish an expert and independent federal agency to regulate the tech industry.