Meta ignored warnings about child harm, whistleblower testifies

A former Meta safety engineer testified during a trial against the company that it was aware of harms its products caused children and took little action despite repeated warnings.

By El Medio Oriente
August 24, 2026
A middle-aged man with glasses and a gray beard wearing a dark blazer and light blue shirt walks outdoors past parked cars and a building.
A former Meta safety engineer arrives for testimony in a trial against the social media company over allegations it ignored warnings about harms to children. (The Guardian — Business)
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Arturo Béjar, a former safety engineer at Meta, told a jury during testimony this week that the company was aware of harm its products caused children, including recommendations that pushed content from sexual predators and violent and graphic images. Béjar said he repeatedly raised the issue to various Facebook and Instagram executives but the company did little to resolve it.

According to Béjar's testimony during the landmark trial against Meta, the company had adopted a "don't ask, don't tell" strategy when it came to the safety of children on its social media platforms.

Meta ignored warnings about child harm, whistleblower testifies | El Medio Oriente