Blumenthal, Blackburn Seek Facebook Research on Kids’ Mental Health

Facebook should release internal research about potentially harmful impacts of its platforms, including Instagram for kids, on children’s mental health, Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and ranking member Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., wrote the company Wednesday. They noted that a hearing is planned for September, for which they asked a Facebook senior executive to testify. They asked CEO Mark Zuckerberg to explain how internal research is “used to further promote and market their products to young users.” Facebook welcomes "productive collaboration" with Blumenthal and Blackburn "to keep young people safe online," a spokesperson emailed. "Just last week we shared significant updates on our work in this area, including defaulting those under 16 into private accounts when they join Instagram. For those under 13, the reality is that they’re already online, so we’re creating an experience for them that is age-appropriate, and managed by parents.”