#United States #New York #Child Safety #Meta #Online Harms

45 Families Demand Action from Meta to Protect Children Online

On April 24, 2025, a poignant vigil took place outside of Meta's Manhattan office, where 45 families from the United States and the United Kingdom gathered to remember their children who tragically lost their lives due to online harms. This significant event was organized by the Heat Initiative, ParentsTogether Action, and Design it For Us, with the shared goal of demanding greater accountability from tech giants like Meta to ensure safety for their youngest users.

At the vigil, parents courageously shared harrowing stories about the dangers their children faced on social media platforms, particularly Instagram. They spoke of issues such as sextortion, grooming, and cyberbullying, calling attention to the pervasive nature of these threats. During the event, attendees laid flowers outside Meta’s offices, symbolizing the lives lost, and held signs bearing messages like, "Meta Profits, We Pay the Price."

The families presented an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg, signed by over 10,000 parents, advocates, and child safety organizations. This letter articulated three key demands:
1. Stop promoting violent and dangerous content to children.
2. Prevent sexual predators from abusing children on Meta platforms.
3. Provide clear and efficient responses to reports of troubling interactions or content.

One mother, Mary Rodee, shared her heartbreak over the loss of her 15-year-old son, Riley Blasford, who died by suicide after falling victim to a sextortion scheme on Facebook. "I have nothing else to lose," she expressed, emphasizing her determination to seek accountability from Zuckerberg, who has refused to meet with grieving families.

Experts and advocates echoed similar sentiments. Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative, stated, "Meta has the resources and knowledge to keep kids safe but chooses profit over protection. The world is watching, and we demand action."

Concerns raised during the vigil reflect a growing frustration among parents and child advocacy groups regarding Meta's handling of online safety issues. Shelby Knox from ParentsTogether Action stated that children are suffering and dying due to neglect from social media companies: "We refuse to pay the price with the lives of our children."

The demonstration was part of a larger call for change as pressure mounts from various stakeholders, including child safety experts and legislative advocates. Meta's recent attempts to introduce Instagram accounts for teenagers have been criticized as inadequate by many child protection advocates who argue that more robust measures are necessary to guarantee young people's safety online.

As this movement continues to grow, it underscores urgent societal concerns regarding children’s safety on social media platforms. With each passing day, families are determined to ensure that no more lives are lost to the consequences of online harms. The vigil serves not only as a memorial but also as a rallying cry for action, empowering grieving parents to seek justice and pushing for systemic changes in how social media companies operate with regards to child safety.

Looking ahead, the families vow to remain vigilant in their efforts to hold Meta accountable and to advocate for the protection of children in the digital age. Their unified message resonates: action must be taken to prioritize the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable users on these platforms, before it’s too late.