Facebook research shows company knew of Instagram's link to youth suicide, senators say

Senators demanded Facebook commit to releasing its full research on the links between Instagram and youth suicide

Senators demanded Facebook commit to releasing its full research on the links between Instagram and youth suicide. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire

US senators on Thursday grilled Facebook on its plans to better protect young users on its apps, drawing on leaked internal research that showed the social media giant was aware of how its Instagram app harmed the mental health of teens.

The hearing in front of the Senate consumer protection subcommittee was called after the Wall Street Journal published several stories earlier this month about how Facebook knew Instagram caused some teen girls, in particular, to feel badly about their self-image.