Internal documents obtained ahead of a New Mexico state trial reveal that Meta executives were warned of massive daily sexual exploitation targeting children on Facebook and Instagram—but little was done to prevent it, according to the New York Post.
The revelations come as Attorney General Raul Torrez prepares to argue that the social media giant exposed minors to “sexual exploitation and mental health harm” through predatory messaging, “sextortion” schemes, and human trafficking networks.
According to emails submitted as evidence and first reviewed by Reuters, Malia Andrus, a former Meta researcher focused on child safety, warned executives in 2020 that predators targeted roughly 500,000 children per day in English-language markets alone.
Andrus cautioned that the real scope could be higher and that the platforms’ massive reach had created unprecedented access for abusers.
“I’m actually scared of the ramifications here,” she wrote, noting the unique dangers of private, large-scale digital communications.
New Mexico’s case highlights the growing concern over social media’s role in facilitating abuse.
Test accounts set up by state investigators reportedly received unsolicited sexually explicit content, offers to participate in pornographic activity for payment, and outreach from suspected predators.
Internal emails also criticized Meta’s age verification systems as easily bypassed by minors, leaving children exposed despite company safeguards.
The lawsuit parallels other legal efforts holding Big Tech accountable.
In California, families and school districts are pursuing claims against Meta and YouTube for alleged contributions to social media addiction and harm to young users, as Resist the Mainstream highlighted last month.
At the federal level, the FTC recently appealed its antitrust loss in a case seeking the breakup of Meta.
Critics compare the unfolding trials to historical accountability efforts against Big Tobacco and Big Pharma, framing them as a generational reckoning for executives like Mark Zuckerberg.
Torrez has repeatedly criticized Meta for providing the appearance of safety without substantive protections.
In December 2025, he called Instagram’s PG-13 content rating system a “dangerous promotional stunt” designed to lull parents into a false sense of security.
Internal documents suggest that executives approved features such as AI chatbots for minors, despite warnings from staff that these tools could be exploited for sexualized conversations.
Meta has defended its actions, saying the company has long engaged with parents, experts, and law enforcement to develop safeguards.
A spokesperson stated, “We are focused on demonstrating our longstanding commitment to supporting young people,” while dismissing claims from the New Mexico case as “sensationalist and irrelevant.”
Andrus, who left Meta in 2024 and now works for OpenAI, did not respond to requests for comment.
The state contends that her internal research—including work on a “Groomers Taskforce” examining adult predators targeting minors—demonstrates the company’s awareness of risks and failures to adequately protect children.
As the trial progresses, its outcome could establish a historic benchmark for how social media companies are held accountable for exposing minors to exploitation and harmful content.
Beyond corporate oversight, the case may also redefine parental responsibility, signaling a new era of expectations for protecting children in an increasingly digital world.
Observers say the ruling could influence future legislation, shape industry practices, and serve as a warning to tech executives that child safety cannot be treated as optional.
WATCH:
