Parents Demand Action Against Online Harms Outside Meta NYC

Dozens of grieving families gathered outside Meta’s New York City office to protest online harms that have led to the deaths of their children, demanding greater accountability and transparency from social media companies. The event featured a memorial called 'The Lost Screen' displaying images of children lost to dangers such as cyberbullying, sextortion, and illegal drug sales facilitated through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Advocacy groups and parents, joined by Prince Harry and Meghan, delivered an open letter to Meta calling for stronger protections and policy changes, citing frustrations over ignored warnings and difficulty accessing information about their children’s online experiences. Several parents shared harrowing accounts, including a mother whose son died from fentanyl poisoning after purchasing drugs via social media, underscoring how dealers operate across multiple platforms. The protest follows whistleblower revelations and past investigative reports showing Meta’s awareness of the risks its platforms pose to young users, particularly regarding targeting vulnerable teens with ads. While Meta claims to have introduced enhanced protections for teens, families argue that current measures are insufficient to address the scope of online harms.