“An Empty Apology is Cold Comfort”: Bereaved Parents Call on Congress to Take Action

Washington, DC — Today, victim advocates and families who believe they lost their children due to online sexual abuses, harassment, and drug trafficking facilitated by social medial platforms made their voices heard as the Big Tech CEOs of Meta, X (Twitter), TikTok, SnapChat, and Dischord testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
 
As grieving parents held up photos of their children, a widely bipartisan group of Senators grilled the CEOs about years’ worth of accusations that their platforms are destructive and led to the harm and deaths of thousands of children.
 
"We applaud Chairman Dick Durbin, Ranking Member Graham, and the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for their strong leadership in lifting up the stories of horrific harm and loss of young lives revealed in hundreds of cases filed throughout the country," said AAJ President Sean Domnick.
 
"The heartbreaking stories of tragic loss echoed through the halls of Congress as these powerful CEOs offered nothing more than empty apologies. Today’s hearing made clear that Congress’ efforts to hold these companies accountable are critical to the health and safety our nation’s kids. "
 
Wearing all black in solidarity, advocates and families called on Congress to pass strong legislation to meaningfully regulate tech and protect parents’ rights to seek some measure of accountability in court.
 
Today’s hearing also highlighted the stories of parents who have alleged in court that their children were seriously injured or killed because social media platforms are designed in ways that result in sexual exploitation, addiction, self-destructive behavior, depression, eating disorders, severe self-harm, and suicide.
 
"We want action and legal accountability, not platitudes, from these CEOs. An empty apology is cold comfort when we go home every night to Englyn’s empty bedroom," said Brandy and Toney Roberts.

CONTACT Carly Moore Sfregola Email: Carly.Sfregola@justice.org Phone: 202.684.9609