When Engineers Speak Out: The Call for Instagram's Accountability

Arturo Bejar, once a key player at Facebook in the fight against online bullying, stepped into the spotlight with a powerful message about the hidden dangers of social media. Speaking to Congress on November 7, 2023, he didn't just come as an expert; he came as a dad. His own teenager faced the dark side of Instagram firsthand, receiving unsolicited and inappropriate messages, a plight that Bejar says the platform has failed to adequately address.

The issue is close to Bejar's heart and his testimony hit home for many. He called out Instagram's parent company, Meta, for knowing about these issues yet dragging its feet in making meaningful changes. These aren't just small problems; they're affecting teenagers' mental health, with Bejar's daughter being one of many who've been harassed online.

Bejar urged for a shift in how social media companies, like Meta, handle user safety, pushing for better ways for teens to report unsettling interactions. It's not enough to have rules against explicit content if there's no way to tackle the gray areas that make kids feel unsafe.

Support from Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley highlighted the importance of Bejar's message, and statistics from Instagram's own surveys back it up, showing a worrying number of young users experiencing unwanted advances.

As Meta faces lawsuits accusing it of harming young minds, Bejar's stance is clear: It's time for Congress to step in with laws that force social media giants to be transparent and accountable. Bejar's not suggesting a complete overhaul—just smarter, teen-friendly tools to report and manage what makes them uncomfortable.

Meta insists it's working hard to improve safety, pointing to new features designed to help. But with Bejar's heartfelt plea and the push for better online child protection laws, it's evident that when it comes to our kids' safety online, there's still a long way to go.

Photo: DIW

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by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World