We can’t trust Meta to protect children

Recent reporting has brought to light troubling details about how Meta has been testing an artificial intelligence chatbot that, according to internal concerns, allows users, including minors, to engage in highly inappropriate conversations. Employees reportedly flagged that the system was generating explicit responses, even when it was clear the users were underage.

As concerning as this is, it fits into a larger pattern. Meta and other large tech companies have a long history of putting growth and engagement metrics ahead of user well-being. This latest episode suggests little has changed in how the company weighs its responsibilities against its business objectives, especially when protecting young children online.