An executive for video platform Youtube defended the company’s policy on child users while appearing before a Senate committee on Tuesday.
The hearing came as lawmakers are increasingly examining social media and its effects on the mental and physical health of young people who spend time on these social media platforms.
“We are constantly working to improve our safeguards,” said Leslie Miller, vice president for government affairs and public policy of YouTube’s owner Google.
“We want to give parents the control to make right choices for children.”
Miller is one of three executives — including Michael Beckerman, a TikTok vice president and head of public policy for the Americas and Jennifer Stout, vice president for global public policy of Snapchat parent Snap Inc. — who are facing questions on what their companies are doing to ensure young users’ safety.
Miller said YouTube takes additional measures to protect the personal data of children who use the platform, including not allowing personalized advertisements or commenting on videos.
“YouTube treats personal information for anyone who watching children’s content on the platform as coming from a child. We limit data collection and use,” said Miller.
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