Senior United States lawmakers have warned that the country is already engaged in an active and escalating cyber conflict with adversaries, even as concerns mount over the role of major technology companies in designing digital platforms that critics say are harming children’s mental health. The warnings emerged from separate Senate hearings that underscored growing anxieties about national security, technological power and the societal impact of digital systems.
At a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, its chairman said cyber threats are no longer hypothetical and that attacks on American systems are occurring in real time. Lawmakers were told that cyber operations now form an inseparable part of modern warfare, with hostile actors increasingly investing in sophisticated tools designed to evade detection and overwhelm defences. The discussion highlighted concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure within the United States, as well as the broader global cyber environment, particularly in regions of strategic competition.
The committee was informed that the US Cyber Command has become a central pillar of national defence in the digital domain, operating largely out of public view while confronting advanced adversaries. Lawmakers warned that hostile cyber activity is manifesting not only overseas but also within the homeland, where attacks on essential systems are becoming harder to deter. Attention was also drawn to preparations for potential cyber conflict linked to geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the hearing, the nominee to lead US Cyber Command and simultaneously serve as director of the National Security Agency told senators that cyber capabilities must be agile, integrated and constantly ready. He stressed that cyber effects are now embedded across military operations and intelligence work, requiring speed and coordination across agencies. Lawmakers raised concerns that the United States could be entering a “window of vulnerability” as adversaries integrate cyber tools with artificial intelligence and information warfare techniques.
Questions were also raised about leadership gaps at Cyber Command and ongoing structural reforms under a reorganisation process. Senators sought assurances that safeguards would remain in place to prevent misuse of cyber and intelligence tools against American citizens, even as the command balances defensive and offensive capabilities under civilian oversight.
Parallel concerns over technology were voiced at a separate Senate Commerce Committee hearing focused on the impact of digital platforms on children and teenagers. Lawmakers and child development experts accused major technology companies of deliberately designing social media and app-based products to maximise engagement, often at the expense of young users’ mental health. The hearing heard testimony that addictive algorithms, notifications and endless scrolling features are key drivers of excessive screen time among children.
Experts told senators that these design choices disproportionately affect developing brains and are closely linked to rising rates of anxiety, depression and social isolation, particularly among teenagers. Research cited during the hearing suggested that a significant proportion of adolescents exhibit patterns of media addiction, increasing the risk of harmful outcomes. Lawmakers were told that children now spend substantial time on smartphones even during school hours, largely on social media and video platforms.
Medical professionals and researchers testified that many apps contain manipulative design elements intended to prolong use and monetise children’s attention. Concerns were also raised about the collection and sharing of children’s personal data, with experts arguing that minors cannot meaningfully understand or consent to such practices. Several lawmakers said parents are increasingly unable to counter the influence of algorithm-driven platforms on their own.
The hearings reflected a bipartisan consensus that technology-related risks are no longer confined to personal well-being but intersect with broader societal and security challenges. Lawmakers indicated support for regulatory measures aimed at holding companies accountable for product design and limiting harmful digital practices, while also strengthening national cyber defences against hostile actors.
Together, the discussions highlighted how cyber threats and digital technologies are reshaping both national security and daily life, prompting calls for stronger oversight, updated safeguards and a more coordinated response to challenges that lawmakers warned are already unfolding.
