What to know

  • Parents who lost children to online harms protested outside Meta’s New York City office.
  • The demonstration featured a memorial called "The Lost Screen," displaying photos of nearly 50 children.
  • Families called for greater accountability and transparency from social media companies.
  • Prince Harry and Meghan supported the protest, urging stronger protections for children online.

On Thursday, parents who have lost children to online harms gathered outside Meta’s New York City office. They stood together, holding signs and memories, demanding that social media companies take stronger action to protect young users from digital dangers.

The protest centered around a temporary memorial called "The Lost Screen." This installation featured 50 illuminated lightboxes, each resembling a smartphone and displaying the photo of a child whose life ended after exposure to harmful online content. The memorial served as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of digital risks.

Many of the families belong to The Parents' Network, a support group formed to help those affected by online harm. They called for greater transparency from social media companies, especially regarding the data that could explain the circumstances behind their children’s deaths. Parents argued that platforms often withhold crucial information, leaving families without answers or accountability.

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, attended a private vigil at the memorial. They spoke out, saying that social media is quietly taking children and that those with the power to make change are failing to act. The couple emphasized that these deaths were not inevitable but were linked to harmful content that any child could encounter online.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, stated that it had introduced special accounts for teens with enhanced protections. However, families and advocates argue that more needs to be done to ensure consistent safety across all platforms and to prevent further tragedies.

The protest comes as regulators in the UK and elsewhere consider tougher measures, including heavy fines and bans for companies that fail to protect young users. For the families gathered in New York, the message was clear: no more children should be lost to online harm, and social media companies must be held accountable.

Via: TechCrunch