Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Protecting Kids Online

Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Protecting Kids Online

During his remarks, Durbin called on the House and the Senate to vote on bills aimed at protecting kids online

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled "From the Courtroom to Congress: Why Landmark Social Media Verdicts Demand Federal Action to Protect Kids Online." Today's hearing highlighted the ongoing risk to children and the immediate need for Congress to act on the bipartisan bills reported by the Committee.

During his remarks, Durbin reflected on the Judiciary Committee's January 31, 2024, hearing, held while Durbin was serving as Chair. That hearing featured testimony from the CEOs of social media companies Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter). During his opening, Durbin called on the CEOs to come back to the Committee and testify.

"I think it's time for us on a bipartisan basis to call these CEOs back and ask them what's happened in two years [since the January 2024 hearing] and talk to them about the losses that have occurred and ask them what they're doing. I don't expect straight answers… but that confrontation on a public basis is a way to inform the public of the danger of what we're talking about [dangers of social media]," said Durbin.

Durbin asked Rachel Lanier, an Attorney at The Lanier Law Firm, about her experience as a trial attorney in a landmark California social media addiction case in which her client, K.G.M., was awarded $6 million in damages from Meta and YouTube. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified during the trial.

"How long was he on the stand?" Durbin asked.

Ms. Lanier responded that they were restricted to have him on for only one day because, "He's very busy."

Durbin responded, "Well he may be very busy, but your day paid off. I thank you for your efforts."

Durbin then asked Joann Bogard, a parent whose son Mason died at the age of 15 after attempting a "choking challenge" circulating on YouTube and TikTok, about her experience talking to other parents who have gone through a similar tragedy.

"Have you been able to reach out to [talk] to [others]… about their losses?" Durbin asked.

Ms. Bogard responded that she "absolutely" has connected with other parents who have gone through a similar tragic situation. She also said that hundreds of parents have reached out to her. She also emphasized that there needs to be legislation to address the harm of social media on children.

"[I] encourage you in your meeting with the Speaker [Mike Johnson] to ask to make [it] a priority to [address] this issue. He can make a difference. And we need to do our part here. We haven't taken this issue to the floor yet... It's time for us to bring it to the floor and have a fulsome debate on it and vote. Before we have another hearing to discuss it, let's do something about it on a bipartisan basis," Durbin concluded.

Video of Durbin's questions in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin's questions in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin's question in Committee is available here for TV stations.

The hearing comes after a jury in New Mexico found that Meta misled users about the safety of its platforms and enabled sexual exploitation of young users and another jury in California found that Meta and Google negligently designed their platforms to be addictive to young users. These two bellwether cases are the first of many court proceedings at both the state and federal levels, but it remains critical that Congress pass federal legislation to hold social media companies accountable.

Durbin has used his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee to prioritize child safety online through hearings, legislation, and oversight efforts.

Durbin and Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) joined forces to reintroduce the bipartisan STOP CSAM Act, which would combat online child sexual abuse material. The bill passed the Judiciary Committee unanimously and awaits action on the Senate floor.

In addition, Durbin and Senator Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act) passed the Senate in July 2024 and again in January 2026. The legislation would hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit "deepfake" images and videos. The bill awaits consideration by the House.

Durbin and Graham also introduced the bipartisan Sunset Section 230 Act, which would repeal Section 230 two years after the date of enactment so that those harmed online can bring legal action against companies. The bill awaits consideration by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

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