Meta Platforms(US:META) Benzinga·2025-07-23 16:33Core Viewpoint - Meta is enhancing safety measures for young users on its platforms in response to criticism regarding insufficient protection against sexual exploitation [1][5]. Group 1: Safety Tools and Features - Meta has introduced updated safety tools designed to protect teenagers, particularly from exploitative content in direct messages [1]. - New features include additional protections during chats, such as displaying information about the account being communicated with and providing safety tips to identify scammers [2]. - Teen users have actively utilized these features, blocking 1 million accounts and reporting another 1 million in June alone after receiving Safety Notices [3]. Group 2: Actions Against Exploitative Accounts - Earlier in the year, Meta removed nearly 135,000 Instagram accounts accused of sexualizing children, which included posting sexualized comments and soliciting inappropriate images [4]. - Additionally, 500,000 associated Instagram and Facebook profiles linked to these offenders were also taken down [4]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment and Industry Scrutiny - Meta faces ongoing scrutiny regarding the impact of its platforms on young users, particularly concerning allegations of addiction and mental health harm [5]. - Congress has renewed its focus on social media regulation, particularly child safety, with the reintroduction of the Kids Online Safety Act, which would mandate platforms to prevent harm to children [6]. - The industry is facing broader challenges, as evidenced by a lawsuit against Snapchat for allegedly enabling predators to target minors through sextortion schemes [6].