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Report: Meta is exploiting "influencer moms" to improve its image regarding child safety.
A new report reveals that Meta has apparently turned to parenting influencers to improve its image regarding child safety, amid sharp criticism about the impact of its platform on minors.
The Tech Transparency Project, an American research center, stated that Meta's promotion of teenagers' Instagram accounts was part of a broader effort to influence the public debate about the accountability of online platforms.
The report by the center claimed that the company created a network of hundreds of online content creators and so-called "influencer mothers" by inviting them to organized events to promote these new accounts, according to a report by Euronews, which was reviewed by Al Arabiya Business.
The report noted that the influencers then repeated the company's arguments to their followers, sometimes indicating that these were paid partnerships through disclosures or hashtags.
The report stated that these developments come after Meta lost several lawsuits in the United States related to its failure to protect minors on its platforms. Among these cases was one filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torres, who also accused the company of failing to protect children from sexual exploitation.
Who promoted the teenagers' accounts?
Teen accounts include built-in features for children under 17, designed to restrict unwanted communication and harmful content exposure, as well as additional tools such as time management, according to Instagram.Among the names mentioned in the report is the influential former "Duck Dynasty" star, Sadie Robertson-Huff, who praised teen Instagram accounts in a video she posted in 2024 to millions of followers.
"They've already launched these new accounts for teens, and I think they're absolutely amazing," Robertson-Huff said in the video, which included a reference to a partnership with Instagram.
Among the influencers who publicly praised the teen accounts system after attending introductory events were Alexa De La Rosa, Noel Downing, and reality TV personality Leroy Garrett.
Meta's response
A Meta spokesperson said the company "proudly works with parents and content creators to raise awareness of these tools and encourage people to use them."The company added that teen accounts are equipped with "built-in youth protections, giving parents tangible tools to oversee their teens' experience."
The company continued: "Our critics say they care about safety, but attacking efforts to educate parents shows they are more interested in headlines than actually caring about helping families."
Meta noted that it collaborates with influencers because they are able to reach parents on a broad scale within local communities, something the company may not be able to achieve as easily through school events or parent meetings.
She stated that she teaches parents how to protect their children online through advertising campaigns, in-app promotion, interviews, and online resources.
Meta noted that other social media companies, such as TikTok, Roblox and Snapchat, are collaborating with influencers.
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