Social media is a double-edged sword. They can help us connect with each other, share knowledge and develop our creativity. But as a recent investigation has shown, they can also be used for dark machinations. The widely used social media platform Instagram appears to have been used by pedocriminals to network and spread their illegal content.

Wall Street Journal expose

The renowned American newspaper Wall Street Journal, in collaboration with scientists from Stanford and Massachusetts Amherst universities, found that Instagram did not remove posts with pedophile content from the platform. Worse, the platform's algorithm apparently made these posts even more widespread.

The posts in question often included unique hashtags. Some accounts had appropriate names to give the impression that they were run by children.

Abuse of the algorithm

These posts and hashtags gave pedosexuals access to websites that offered child abuse footage for sale. There have even been reports of some of these platforms offering to “meet” children for a “reasonable price.”

These posts were not only shown to existing users, but also suggested to new users. This was a blatant violation of the guidelines of the Meta group, which also includes Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.

Meta reacts to the allegations

After Meta was confronted with the Wall Street Journal's revelations, the company announced it would set up an internal task force to investigate the issue. Meanwhile, Instagram has already blocked thousands of hashtags and restricted search terms associated with child abuse.

The European Commission has now also asked the company to take action. EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton warned on Twitter. Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg must provide answers and react accordingly. Breton added that it appeared that Meta's obligations to protect children appeared to be inadequate.

If Meta does not act in accordance with the European Union's Digital Services Act, which comes into force in August, the company could face severe penalties.

Summary

Instagram and its parent company Meta are cast in a dark light by the Wall Street Journal's revelations. They underline the need for social media platforms to take seriously their responsibility to protect children and young people and take effective measures to prevent and combat such abhorrent activities. Because protecting and supporting our children should always come first.

Source:

Wall Street Journal

This might also be of interest:
The dark side of freedom of expression: Lies have short legs, but long clicks
The difficulty in reading in the age of social media
Fraud on Instagram: Danger from fake meta messages


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