Meta Platforms Inc. is facing significant scrutiny over the safety of children on its social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. A resolution has been filed by shareholders, led by Lisette Cooper, PhD, and supported by Proxy Impact, to be voted on at the annual meeting on May 29, 2024. The resolution calls for the Board of Directors to adopt targets and publish an annual report assessing Meta's global performance on child safety impacts and harm reduction. This follows a surge in reports of child exploitation on Meta platforms, with nearly 31 million reports in 2023, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The company has also been criticized for its plans to implement end-to-end encryption on Messenger...Show More

Meta Platforms Inc. is facing significant scrutiny over the safety of children on its social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. A resolution has been filed by shareholders, led by Lisette Cooper, PhD, and supported by Proxy Impact, to be voted on at the annual meeting on May 29, 2024. The resolution calls for the Board of Directors to adopt targets and publish an annual report assessing Meta's global performance on child safety impacts and harm reduction. This follows a surge in reports of child exploitation on Meta platforms, with nearly 31 million reports in 2023, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The company has also been criticized for its plans to implement end-to-end encryption on Messenger, which could hinder investigations of child predators. Meta has previously been fined by the Data Protection Commission of Ireland and is under investigation by the EU for breaches of child safety laws. The resolution has gained traction among shareholders, with a similar proposal in 2023 receiving majority support from the non-management-controlled vote. Institutional advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis have recommended support for the resolution, citing the need for more information on how Meta is managing child safety risks.