'Facebook and Instagram termed predatory grounds for minors'

Serious accusations have surfaced against Facebook and Instagram as a result of a lawsuit of New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez. His lawsuit claims that these social media platforms have turned into safe havens for child predators.

Using fake accounts, Torrez's office conducted investigations to find distressing incidents as these accounts were sent 'solicitations' and explicit content.

The lawsuit demands that the court compel Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to implement measures safeguarding their youngest users. It accuses Meta of turning a blind eye to voluntarily addressing these concerns.

Meta replied that it had continued its attempts to get predators off its platforms. However, New Mexico's investigation revealed that certain forms of exploitative material were notably more widespread on Facebook and Instagram compared to adult content sites like Pornhub and OnlyFans.

Attorney General Torrez stressed the alarming nature of their findings, saying that these social media platforms are unsafe for children, as they serve as hubs for predators to share illegal material and target minors.

While US law shields platforms from content liability, the lawsuit contends that Meta's algorithms actively propagate and distribute sexually exploitative content, turning the platforms into a marketplace for child predators.

The lawsuit asserts that Meta misled users and families about the platform's safety, violating laws prohibiting deceptive practices and creating a hazardous environment.

Additionally, the lawsuit personally targets Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, alleging that despite public promises to enhance child safety, he steered the company in the opposite direction.

In response, Meta reiterated its commitment to combatting child exploitation, citing their use of technology, collaboration with experts, and reporting of illicit content to authorities.