Meta researcher warned 500K kids 'per DAY' targeted by creeps on Instagram, Facebook

Core Viewpoint - A top Meta researcher has warned that there could be as many as 500,000 cases of online sexual exploitation per day on Facebook and Instagram, highlighting significant safety concerns regarding the platforms' impact on children and teenagers [1][3]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings and Allegations - New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez has initiated a case against Meta, accusing the company of exposing children to sexual exploitation and mental health risks through inappropriate messages and human trafficking [2]. - The lawsuit claims that the consequences of Meta's actions have contributed to a teen social media crisis, resulting in increased anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicides among young users [2]. - Internal communications from Meta indicate that the company was aware of the scale of the problem, with one researcher estimating that around 500,000 victims were targeted daily in English-speaking markets [3][4]. Group 2: Internal Insights and Concerns - Malia Andrus, a former Meta employee focused on child safety, expressed concerns in an internal email about the effectiveness of age-verification tools, stating they were easily circumvented [11][14]. - Andrus also highlighted the unprecedented scale at which predators could target children on Meta's platforms, emphasizing the potential ramifications of such interactions [4]. - The lawsuit has revealed disturbing details, including test accounts being bombarded with explicit content and solicitations from alleged predators [10]. Group 3: Meta's Response and Ongoing Challenges - Meta has publicly defended its efforts to protect children, claiming that the internal discussions cited in the lawsuit were part of an ongoing commitment to child safety [12][20]. - The company faces multiple legal challenges this year, including a trial in California regarding social media addiction among young users and an antitrust lawsuit from the FTC [5]. - Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been criticized for allowing minors to use AI chatbots despite warnings from safety staff about potential misuse [19].