Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, is leading an investigation into Meta’s generative artificial intelligence products and their impact on children. The investigation follows a Reuters report revealing that internal Meta documents allowed A.I. bots to engage in “romantic or sensual” conversations with minors.
Hawley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg demanding that the company turn over documents and communications related to the report. Hawley warned that Meta may be taking steps to exploit children for financial gain.
Meta has denied any wrongdoing, stating it has clear policies in place to prevent such content. However, the company’s history of safeguarding underage users is marked by controversy. Over 40 states have sued Meta, claiming its products harm minors’ mental health.
Lawmakers are pushing for stricter regulations to protect children online. The Take It Down Act was passed this year requiring the removal of nonconsensual sexual imagery, while the Kids Online Safety Act aims to strengthen privacy protections for minors.
As AI poses greater risks to children’s safety, lawmakers have warned Meta to take down problematic features on its platforms, including a recent Instagram map feature that could facilitate predators reaching minors. The investigation into Meta’s AI products highlights growing concerns about the company’s commitment to child safety.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/technology/meta-child-safety-senate-investigation.html