TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, Faces Tough Questions from US Lawmakers over Chinese Influence and App’s Impact on Children’s Mental Health. During a hearing that lasted more than five hours, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, was grilled by US lawmakers over concerns regarding the app’s potential Chinese influence and its impact on children’s mental health.
Chew denied any connections with the Chinese Communist Party or sharing data with them, emphasizing TikTok’s commitment to ensuring safety for its 150 million American users.
However, lawmakers raised concerns about the app’s content and its influence on American children, particularly regarding eating disorders, illegal drug sales, and sexual exploitation. Despite Chew’s reassurances, critics were not satisfied with his responses as he failed to announce any new efforts to safeguard privacy.
The hearing comes amid growing bipartisan concerns about TikTok’s influence on Americans and possible legislation to strengthen the Biden administration’s legal powers to ban the app. The hearing was also closely watched in China, where ByteDance offers a Chinese equivalent, Douyin.
TikTok has become increasingly popular with American youth, but concerns have been raised about the content it promotes and its potential impact on children’s mental health. The app has been accused of promoting dangerous and harmful content, including eating disorders, illegal drug sales, and sexual exploitation.
During the hearing, lawmakers stressed the need for stronger measures to protect American children from harmful content on the app. Critics were not convinced by the CEO’s responses, with some calling for more action to be taken to safeguard privacy and prevent harmful content from being promoted on the app.
The hearing has once again highlighted the growing concerns about TikTok’s influence and its potential impact on children’s mental health. While some were satisfied with the CEO’s reassurances, others remain skeptical and are calling for stronger measures to protect children and prevent harmful content from being promoted on the app.
