A member of the Labour Party who created a test Instagram account for teenagers was shocked when offensive antisemitic remarks appeared within just 11 minutes. Melanie Ward is challenging Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, following the exposure of a video featuring a banned “Manosphere” influencer on the 17-year-old’s account. Ward has accused the tech corporation of misleading parents and lawmakers about the efficacy of their Teen Account feature.
During her examination in March, the MP browsed through the content and, despite not following any accounts or searching for profiles, encountered a video showcasing influencer Sneako. The video depicted the controversial American figure participating in a live stream discussion where his guest made disparaging comments about wealthy Jewish business individuals potentially having ties to Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency.
Sneako, also known as Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, gained notoriety for his involvement in Louis Theroux’s recent Netflix documentary on the Manosphere, a network of contentious online influencers promoting ultra-masculinity. He has a history of disseminating antisemitic content, such as being captured on video singing Kanye West’s condemned song “Heil Hitler” in a nightclub along with other influencers like Andrew Tate.
Ms. Ward, a proponent of banning social media for individuals under 16, has penned a letter to Meta’s UK Country Director, Shruti Dube, demanding a meeting and cautioning the company against exposing young and vulnerable users to harmful or radical content. In her communication, Ward underscored the alarming nature of the content shown to the experimental account and emphasized the importance of safeguarding young people from divisive and hateful ideologies.
Instagram introduced Teen Accounts for adolescents aged 13-17 in 2024 to regulate who can interact with teens and control the content they are exposed to. The government is set to unveil plans for bolstering social media safety measures for children after a comprehensive consultation period. Proposed measures include a potential ban on social media for children, limitations on addictive design elements, and implementing curfews on usage.
Keir Starmer recently pledged to hold tech companies accountable for protecting children online, signaling a forthcoming shift in regulations. Meta has been reached out to for comment, indicating ongoing dialogue with Ms. Ward to address her concerns.