Despite the dramatic atmosphere of congressional interrogations, they often result in little substantial progress. Zuckerberg's recent congressional appearance highlighted this issue sharply when he faced families affected by cyberbullying and exploitation on his platform.

However, just hours after his testimony, Facebook, now Meta, reported a financial surge that significantly benefitted its stock market value and Zuckerberg's wealth, without addressing the dire issues discussed.

Simultaneously, global incidences illustrate the harm caused by social media to children, with cases of cyberbullying leading to tragic outcomes and platforms inadvertently aiding predators.

The sluggish response from the U.S. Congress is puzzling. There's an urgent need for laws that protect users, especially children, from harm.

These should include the enforcement of existing antitrust laws to break up tech monopolies, revising Section 230 to hold platforms accountable for harmful content, and instituting safety regulations akin to those in the pharmaceutical industry.

The latest unregulated release into society is generative AI, exemplified by the proliferation of deepfake pornography, including unauthorized images of celebrities, which social media platforms are not legally compelled to remove.

As we approach another critical election season, the dangers of unchecked technology become even more apparent, with the potential for widespread misinformation and its impact on democratic processes already demonstrated.

Despite multiple hearings since the Cambridge Analytica scandal, no significant federal regulation has been enacted. Facebook’s rebranding and periodic executive testimonies offer little more than symbolic gestures toward accountability.

In the meantime, both the UK and the US miss opportunities to reinforce the integrity of elections and data protection, potentially ushering an era of unchecked tech power alongside profound economic and political consequences.