*The content of this episode is rated 18+*

We discuss the Senate hearings on child exploitation on social media shed light on the urgent need for action and accountability.

Senators described the crisis of online sexual exploitation as a national crisis, sharing alarming statistics on child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and financial sextortion. The CEOs of major social media platforms, including Discord, Snapchat, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter), were questioned about their platforms' safety features and their responsibility to protect children.

Key Takeaways:

• The Senate hearings highlighted the urgent need for action and accountability in addressing the crisis of online sexual exploitation.
• There is bipartisan support for action.
• CEOs evaded direct answers and accountability, raising concerns about their commitment to addressing the issues.
• The revenue and influence of social media platforms like TikTok are significant but not widely understood.
• Witnesses in hearings tend to stick to their prepared talking points, making it difficult to achieve meaningful change.
• Addressing online harm and regulating platforms is a complex task with potential privacy concerns.
• There is hope for change, particularly in targeting vulnerable platforms like TikTok.