Meta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, has come under fire as internal documents have revealed that as many as 100,000 children on their platforms have experienced sexual harassment each day. The information was unveiled in a complaint to New Mexico’s attorney general office, and Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been named as a defendant.
The 2021 Meta internal estimates show that scores of kids were sexually harassed online, with instances including the circulation of “pictures of adult genitalia.” The filing is part of a complaint by the attorney general of New Mexico, who argued that Meta has taken inadequate steps to protect children online. The unredacted documents stemming from the complaint reveal that the children were being groomed online.
The complaint alleges that Meta has failed to take steps to protect the children, placing high priority on social media advertising and engagements rather than the safety of underage users. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez stated, “Meta executives, including Mr. Zuckerberg, consistently made decisions that put growth ahead of children’s safety.” The documents also highlight an internal chat where a Meta employee asked about efforts to combat child grooming, only to be told that child safety was an “explicit non-goal” at the time.
In response to the complaint, a Meta spokesperson stated that the company has identified and rectified many problems and disabled over half a million accounts that violate child safety policies. They emphasized that they want teens to have safe, age-appropriate experiences online and have dedicated resources to keeping young people safe and supported online.
Opinion: This revelation about the extent of sexual harassment experienced by children on Meta’s platforms is deeply concerning. It is clear that the company has prioritized growth and engagement over the safety of its users, particularly children. It is imperative that Meta takes immediate and effective action to enhance child safety measures and prioritize the well-being of its young users. Furthermore, regulatory authorities must hold Meta accountable for these failings and ensure that the necessary steps are taken to protect children from online exploitation and harassment.