Meta’s recent ads signal a rising societal problem

Meta allegedly used back-to-school photos of teenage girls to advertise Threads to adult men, raising serious concerns about exploitation. These photos, often posted by mothers on Facebook and Instagram, appeared without consent in ads, some even displaying the child's name. One mother's photo of her 15 year old daughter garnered thousands of views, mostly from older men. The author reflects on her own experiences with harassment as a young woman, highlighting a pattern of exploitation. Mark Zuckerberg's history, including Facemash, reveals a disregard for the privacy and safety of women. The author argues that these tech leaders are morally stunted individuals wielding too much power. Regulations are necessary to curb the exploitation of personal images, especially those of minors, for corporate profit. Clear laws are needed to prevent teen content from reaching adult audiences without explicit consent. Transparency regarding algorithms and legal recourse for families are crucial for accountability. The author questions whether these platforms have become so harmful that we should abandon them.