United States: facing Congress, Instagram boss tries to defend his platform
Instagram boss Adam Mosseri testified before US senators on December 7, 2021. Brendan Smialowski AFP
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Instagram boss Adam Mosseri testified before US senators on Wednesday, December 8.
Whistleblowers and public health officials recently questioned the social network and its influence on adolescent mental health.
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With our correspondent in Washington,
Guillaume Naudin
On Instagram, we find photos of the last dream vacation or the last good meal of friends or influencers.
But American senators also see content that is sometimes unsuitable for young people, addictive behavior that can lead to anorexia and even suicide.
When he arrives, Adam Mosseri knows it.
“
I know that many of you in this room have deep reservations about our business.
But I want to assure you that we really have the same goal.
We all want young people to be safe online.
And I believe that there is an important job that we can do together, companies in the sector and legislators: improving the internet to better serve and protect young people.
"
Instagram's proposal is the creation by the sector of a regulatory body that would define common rules.
"
We are no longer in self-control
" retorts the Democratic chairman of the subcommittee on consumer protection.
Utah Republican Mike Lee is even more blunt.
“We're
going to have to realize that there are really bad things going on.
You are the new tobacco whether you like it or not.
And you must stop "selling tobacco", in quotes, to children.
Don't let them have it, don't give it to them
.
"
Adam Mosseri disputes the addictive aspect of his network, but he is forced to admit it, Instagram lives on advertising and the bigger the audience, the more money the company makes.
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