Accountable Tech Launches TV Ads on Facebook’s Coverup of Harms to Kids

For Immediate Release
September 30, 2021
Contact: press@accountabletech.org

Six-Figure National TV Buy Urges Congress to Investigate What Facebook Knew about its Toxic Impact on Young People’s Mental Health

This morning, Accountable Tech launched a six-figure national cable ad urging Congress to investigate Facebook over recent revelations that the company concealed internal research showing its products put kids and teens’ wellbeing in danger.

The ads will air on CNN, MSNBC and CNBC, including during today’s Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing on “Protecting Kids Online,” where Senators will question Facebook’s Global Head of Safety about The Wall Street Journal’s recent exposé and the company’s toxic impact on young people. The spot – “Be Proud” – juxtaposes Mark Zuckerberg quotes against excerpts from that reporting, underscoring Facebook’s consistent pattern of public deception.

Watch the Ad: “Be Proud”

“Over the last few weeks, a chilling truth about Facebook has been brought to light: Mark Zuckerberg and his executives view children as little more than a ‘valuable but untapped audience’ from which they can extract corporate profits,” said Nicole Gill, Accountable Tech Executive Director.

“Facebook has strategically cultivated young users to shore up revenue streams, while sitting on mountains of ‘proprietary’ research showing Instagram has had a uniquely devastating impact on teenagers. Considering what’s at stake, Congress can’t afford to play nice anymore. We urge lawmakers to investigate Facebook and show that healthy profits are never an excuse for unhealthy children.”

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