Alexander Lewis 
Dec 07, 2023
In a recent lawsuit, the New Mexico attorney general, Raul Torrez, has claimed that Facebook and Instagram have become a "breeding ground" for child predators
Torrez revealed that his office created fake accounts, which received explicit images and "solicitations." He has urged the court to mandate changes from the social media giant to enhance protection for its youngest users, alleging that the company has “refused” to make improvements willingly.
Responding to the remarks made by Torrez, Meta stated that it is diligently working to minimise such activities on its platforms. The development was reported by BBC.
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As per the lawsuit, state investigators reported accounts sharing child pornography with the company without effect.
Attorney General Torrez said, "Our investigation into Meta's social media platforms demonstrates that they are not safe spaces for children but rather prime locations for predators to trade child pornography and solicit minors for sex."
"In short, Meta has allowed Facebook and Instagram to become a marketplace for predators in search of children upon whom to prey," the lawsuit said.
The legal action specifically names Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, alleging that he “called the shots” and rejected requests for modifications or investments to enhance child safety. The lawsuit further claims that Zuckerberg made deceptive public statements regarding the matter.
"Child exploitation is a horrific crime and online predators are determined criminals," Meta stated in a statement responding to the New Mexico allegations.
"We use sophisticated technology, hire child safety experts, report content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and share information and tools with other companies and law enforcement, including state attorneys general, to help root out predators."
Additionally, numerous US states initiated legal proceedings in October, claiming that the company played a role in a mental health crisis among youth and misled the public about the dangers of using social media.
Moreover, hundreds of families have pursued legal remedies, asserting that the platforms are inherently harmful.
