Investigation into child exploitation on Meta platforms leads to arrests of three men | CNN Business

Investigation into child exploitation on Meta platforms leads to arrests of three men  CNN

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May 9, 2024 - 15:30
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Investigation into child exploitation on Meta platforms leads to arrests of three men | CNN Business

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Dangers of Meta’s Platforms


New York
CNN
 — 

Introduction

  1. An investigation by the New Mexico Attorney General into the potential dangers of Meta’s platforms has resulted in the arrests of three men charged with attempted sexual abuse of children.

Investigation and Lawsuit

  • The arrests came after a months-long investigation by the attorney general’s office into the risks of sexual exploitation of children on Facebook and Instagram.
  • The investigation formed the basis of a lawsuit against Meta filed in December, accusing the tech giant of creating a “breeding ground” for child predators.

Meta’s Response

  • Meta has pushed back against the claims in the lawsuit and states that it offers dozens of safety tools for children and parents.

Fake Accounts and Arrests

  • As part of the investigation, the attorney general’s office created multiple fake Facebook and Instagram profiles posing as children.
  • The fake child accounts were allegedly contacted and solicited for sex by the three New Mexico adult men whose arrests were announced by the attorney general.

Attorney General’s Statement

  • New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez blamed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for the arrests, accusing the company of prioritizing profits over the interests of children.

Meta’s Response to the Arrests

  • A Meta spokesperson stated that the company has been working to combat child exploitation and support law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting criminals.
  • The spokesperson emphasized that the fight against child predators is ongoing and that Meta uses sophisticated technology and collaborates with other organizations to root out predators across multiple platforms.

Growing Scrutiny and Safety Measures

  • The arrests add to the growing scrutiny that Meta and other social media companies face regarding the safety of young users on their platforms.
  • Meta has implemented additional youth safety features, including updating teens’ default privacy settings and restricting messaging from non-followers.

Arrested Individuals and Charges

  • The three arrested men engaged in conversations with the attorney general’s fake child accounts, sending sexually explicit messages and soliciting sex.
  • They have been charged with child solicitation and attempted criminal sexual penetration of a minor.

Attorney General’s Statement on Meta’s Platforms

  • Attorney General Torrez emphasized that the arrests highlight the real-world risks to children posed by Meta’s platforms, which sexual predators actively use to hunt, groom, and victimize children.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

  1. SDG 4: Quality Education

    • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
    • Indicator: The article does not mention any specific indicators related to this target.

  2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

    • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
    • Indicator: The arrests of the men charged with attempted sexual abuse of children highlight the risks of sexual exploitation of girls.

  3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

    • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
    • Indicator: The article mentions the risks faced by children on Meta’s platforms, indicating the need to address inequalities in online safety and protection.

  4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

    • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
    • Indicator: The arrests of the men charged with attempted sexual abuse of children highlight the need to address violence and exploitation against children.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 4: Quality Education Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. No specific indicators mentioned in the article.
SDG 5: Gender Equality Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The arrests of the men charged with attempted sexual abuse of children highlight the risks of sexual exploitation of girls.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The article mentions the risks faced by children on Meta’s platforms, indicating the need to address inequalities in online safety and protection.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The arrests of the men charged with attempted sexual abuse of children highlight the need to address violence and exploitation against children.

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: cnn.com

 

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