Congress grills Facebook exec on Instagram’s harmful effect on children

Senators highlighted research revealed in the Wall Street Journal showing how the photo app could affect girls' body image and self-esteem

Antigone Davis, Facebook's global head of safety, faced a grilling before the US Congress on Thursday in a hearing examining the impacts of the company's products on children.

Thursday's hearing of the Senate commerce, science and transportation subcommittee comes after a series of Wall Street Journal reports based on internal Facebook leaks, including a story that revealed research showing the harmful effects of Instagram on childhood mental health.