During a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg offered an apology to families who have been negatively affected by his company’s products, following intense questioning from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).

Sen. Hawley didn’t hold back, initially criticizing Zuckerberg for what he saw as inadequate measures to safeguard children on Facebook and Instagram. He then pressed the billionaire executive on why Meta hasn’t provided compensation to victims and their families.

Changing his approach, Sen. Hawley turned to the families of victims attending the hearing, challenging Zuckerberg with the question, “There are families of victims here today. Have you apologized to victims? Would you do so now? They’re here, and you are in the national spotlight. Would you like to extend an apology to victims who have suffered due to your products? Show him the pictures. Would you like to apologize to these good people?”

Zuckerberg responded, “I’m sorry for everything you’ve all gone through,” during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on “Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis.” He added, “It’s terrible. No one should have to go through the things that your families have suffered.”

These parents have linked social media, especially Instagram, to their children’s struggles with suicide or exploitation, many donning blue ribbons reading “STOP Online Harms! Pass KOSA!” in reference to proposed legislation aimed at bolstering online protections for children.

The Senate hearing featured testimonies from the heads of various tech companies, including TikTok, Discord, Twitter, and Snap. Lawmakers seized the opportunity to probe these executives on their firms’ practices and policies related to child safety.