The moment came after intense questioning by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who asked if Zuckerberg had apologized to the victims.
“Would you like to do so now?” asked Hawley. “They’re here, you’re on national television. Would you like now to apologize to the victims who have been harmed by your product? Show him the pictures.”
Zuckerberg is one of five tech executives called to testify during the hearing, which was primarily organized to address issues like the prevalence of child sexual abuse material or CSAM. The hearing has also covered other safety issues related to teens and children on social media, such as cyberbullying, body-image issues, grooming, drugs and suicide.
The families who gathered were part of a group called Parents for Safe Online Spaces. As Zuckerberg spoke, they held up framed photos of their children who have died. They say their deaths were linked to things that happened on social media, including bulling and posts that lead to suicide, overdoses from drugs obtained online and asphyxiation from participating in the “blackout challenge.”
