Meta Knew About Risks to Children, But Failed to Act: Former Executive

Former Meta engineering director Arturo Bejar has accused the social media giant of putting growth, engagement and profits ahead of the safety of children and teenagers on Facebook and Instagram. Bejar made the allegations while testifying in a landmark federal trial in Oakland, California, brought by a coalition of U.S. states. The states claim Meta deliberately designed its platforms to attract and retain young users while failing to adequately address risks including anxiety, depression, harassment and other harms. They also allege that Meta improperly collected and used personal information belonging to children under 13.

Bejar, who worked at Meta from 2009 to 2015 and later returned as an independent contractor, said CEO Mark Zuckerberg had significant influence over major product decisions. He alleged that safety-related changes were more likely to happen when Zuckerberg personally made them a priority. Bejar also described the online abuse experienced by his teenage daughter, including misogynistic comments, and said Meta had tools that could identify potentially underage users but did not use them aggressively. Meta, meanwhile, has pointed to its large safety teams and features designed to encourage users to take breaks. The six-week trial could have major implications for Facebook and Instagram, with a judge expected to determine Meta’s liability and any potential penalties or changes to its platforms.