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Social media executives deny platforms are inherently addictive to children
TL;DR
Executives from Meta, Roblox, and TikTok denied their platforms are inherently addictive to children during a hearing in Westminster. A Snapchat executive canceled their appearance, prompting warnings from the committee chair about potential summons.
Key points
- Executives from Meta, Roblox, and TikTok denied addiction claims
- Snapchat executive canceled appearance at the hearing
- MPs questioned the impact of social media on children
- Committee chair warned of potential summons for Snapchat
Mentioned in this story
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Executives from three social media companies have denied their platforms are inherently addictive to children and young people in a combative appearance before MPs in Westminster.
Representatives from Meta, Roblox and TikTok faced robust questioning from the cross-party education select committee about the impact of screen time and social media on children.
A fourth executive, from Snapchat, had been due to attend Tuesday’s hearing but was said to have cancelled “at quite short notice”, drawing a sharp rebuke from the committee chair, Helen Hayes.
She warned Snapchat the committee would use its powers to summon a witness if they did not cooperate and agree to appear at a meeting next week.
The three executives who gave evidence insisted their platforms had not been designed to be addictive, and said there was no evidence they were “addictive by nature”.
They also told MPs they thought a social media ban for under-16s, favoured by many parents, would be unenforceable.
Alistair Law, of TikTok, and Rebecca Stimson, of Meta, face questions from the committee. Photograph: Parliament Live
The government is consulting on whether the UK should follow in Australia’s footsteps by making it illegal for under-16s to have access to many social media sites, among other potential restrictions.
Rebecca Stimson, Meta’s UK director of public policy, said the Australian experience had shown a ban was not enforceable or effective. “We don’t think it’s something that’s actually possible in practice,” she said. Early research has shown that most children in Australia are despite the ban.
Q&A
What did social media executives say about addiction to their platforms?
Executives from Meta, Roblox, and TikTok claimed their platforms are not inherently addictive to children and young people.
Why did the Snapchat executive cancel their appearance at the hearing?
The Snapchat executive canceled at short notice, leading to criticism from the committee chair, who warned of potential summons.
What concerns did MPs raise during the hearing about social media?
MPs questioned the impact of screen time and social media on children, focusing on potential addiction issues.
What actions did the committee chair threaten against Snapchat?
The committee chair, Helen Hayes, warned that the committee would use its powers to summon a Snapchat witness if they did not cooperate.
