It is claimed that social media platforms condone sexually explicit child photos. Reports revealed that Instagram and Twitter’s in-app reporting tools did not remove child-abuse posts, even upon complaint.
According to the latest allegations, Instagram does not remove partially naked child photos from the platform, even if it is complained about the in-app reporting tool. These photos also reveal the extent of the danger, as they receive dozens of sexually explicit comments.
Why hasn’t Instagram made a move for child abuse?
Instagram’s parent company Meta has been unsuccessful in removing accounts reported via in-app reporting, although it claims to have a “zero-tolerance” policy against child abuse. Researchers were unable to close the child abusive accounts on Twitter and Instagram.
A researcher has reported an account that posted photos of sexually explicit children via Intstagram’s in-app reporting tool. But closing the reported child abuser account was unsuccessful. Allegedly, the account has 33 thousand followers and still continues to share.
In the statement from Instagram, it was stated that “this account was not detected by the algorithm as against the community guidelines”. To the researcher; advised to block, unfollow or report back the account.
A similar situation occurred on Twitter. The account, which posted pictures of a person who had sexual acts through the photos of the 14-year-old TikTok phenomenon, was reported using in-app tools. However, this report was turned down, stating that Twitter did not violate its rules.
Instagram’s parent company, Meta, stated that it has rules against content that sexually exploits or puts children at risk, and that it has removed accounts from the platform by examining them. A spokesperson for Meta stated:
“We are focused on preventing harm by banning suspicious profiles, restricting adults from sending messages to children they are not affiliated with, and locking accounts under 18s by default.”
Child abuse findings on Twitter and Instagram have brought the platforms’ in-app reporting tools into discussion. Children’s rights advocates stated that although it is illegal, such content is not considered a crime and is allowed to remain on the air.
What do you think of these child abuse complaints on Instagram and Twitter? Don’t forget to share your feedback with us on the SDN Forum or in the comments!
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