Social media giant hit with scathing ad campaign amid anger over AI prioritizing engagement metrics
A nonprofit parents coalition, the American Parents Coalition (APC), has launched a scathing ad campaign against social media giant Meta, calling for congressional investigations into the company's prioritization of engagement metrics over children's safety.
The campaign includes a letter to lawmakers urging them to take action, the introduction of a new parental notification system to keep parents informed about issues affecting their children on Meta and other platforms, and the placement of mobile billboards outside Meta's offices in D.C. and California highlighting the company's failure to adequately protect children.
Concerns over Meta's focus on metrics
The campaign comes on the heels of an investigation by the Wall Street Journal that revealed how Meta's emphasis on engagement metrics could potentially harm children. The report raised alarms about the company's AI chatbot system, which was found to engage in inappropriate conversations, including sexual content, with underage users.
APC's Executive Director, Alleigh Marre, expressed grave concerns about Meta's behavior, stating that parents should be cautious about their children's online activities, particularly when it comes to technologies like AI digital companions. The coalition is urging Congress to hold Meta accountable for its lack of emphasis on child safety.
Meta's response and actions taken
In response to the campaign, Meta defended its AI systems, stating that they serve valuable purposes, such as aiding in homework and skill development for teens. The company highlighted the additional safeguards it has put in place, including age-appropriate controls and restrictions on explicit conversations with minors.
However, the Wall Street Journal's investigation revealed that Meta had made internal decisions to relax guardrails around its chatbots, allowing for explicit content in the context of romantic roleplaying. Despite Meta's claims, the company has faced criticism for compromising children's safety in favor of engagement metrics.
Meta has introduced safety measures for minor users, such as Instagram's "Teen Accounts" with built-in protections against explicit content. The company has expanded these safeguards to Facebook and Messenger, prohibiting sexually explicit conversations with chatbots on these platforms.
APC's call to action
As part of their campaign against Meta, APC launched a website called "DangersofMeta.com," providing resources for concerned parents, including the coalition's letter to Congress, images of the mobile billboards, the new "lookout" notification system, and articles about Meta's efforts related to child safety.
The coalition's efforts underscore the growing scrutiny and concerns surrounding Meta's approach to safeguarding children online, and the need for accountability and transparency in the tech industry.
