New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has unveiled the New Mexico Department of Justice’s Internet Safety webpage, which aims to enhance online safety for families. The new feature includes an “experience form” where parents and teens can document their experiences with social media platforms.
This input will contribute to a larger awareness campaign set to launch later this summer, focusing on the challenges and issues faced by users on these platforms.
The Internet Safety page is designed to be a valuable resource for parents and teens, offering guidance on social media privacy and access to the “Take It Down” service. This free tool helps remove explicit images or videos of minors from the internet, reflecting a broader effort by the NMDOJ to address and mitigate risks associated with online interactions for children and teenagers.
Attorney General Torrez emphasized the necessity of protecting children and families as technology evolves and more personal information is shared online. The Internet Safety Page is part of the NMDOJ’s commitment to ensuring digital security and providing resources that help users navigate online dangers effectively.
The urgency for such measures is underscored by the significant backlog of flagged underage accounts on Meta Platforms, which numbers at least 2.5 million. The scale of the problem is evident, with an estimated 100,000 children being victims of online sexual harassment on Meta platforms each day. This highlights the critical need for enhanced protective measures and resources.
The legal case against Meta Platforms Inc. cited as D-101-CV-2023-02838, underscores the severity of the issue, reflecting ongoing efforts by the State of New Mexico to hold social media companies accountable. The newly launched Internet Safety webpage is a proactive step in addressing these concerns and ensuring the safety and well-being of younger users in the digital age.