Facebook executives admit targeting young girls for advertising profits

On April 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary convened to discuss the oversight of Meta's foreign relations and its representations to Congress. The meeting focused on the ethical implications of Meta's advertising practices, particularly concerning the emotional well-being of young users.

The session began with a senator questioning a witness about Meta's targeting strategies, specifically how the company capitalizes on vulnerable moments in users' lives. The witness highlighted that Meta, through platforms like Facebook and Instagram, actively tracks users' emotional states, including teenage girls who may be struggling with body image issues or young mothers in distress. This targeting raises concerns about the ethicality of profiting from users' emotional vulnerabilities.

The discussion revealed that despite internal acknowledgments of the potential harm caused by such practices, Meta has not ceased these operations. The witness noted that whistleblowers had come forward, indicating that Instagram continued to engage in explicit targeting that could lead to severe emotional distress among young girls. The senator pressed for clarity on whether Meta had made any changes following these revelations, to which the witness confirmed that no significant changes had been observed.

The conversation further delved into the motivations behind Meta's practices. The witness, a mother of three, expressed concern over the company's prioritization of profit over user welfare, stating that Meta, now a trillion-dollar company, does not need to exploit its young user base for financial gain. The senator emphasized that Meta's leadership appears willing to compromise ethical standards, including collaborating with foreign adversaries and misleading Congress, all in pursuit of greater power and profit.

The meeting concluded with a strong call for accountability, highlighting the need for stricter oversight of Meta's practices to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children and teenagers, from exploitation. The committee's discussions underscored the ongoing challenges in regulating tech giants and ensuring that user welfare is prioritized over corporate profits.