Meta enlisted parenting influencers, celebrities and medical professionals to help improve public perception of its child safety efforts amid mounting criticism over the impact of social media on young users, according to a new report released by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP).
The Washington-based research group said Meta promoted its Instagram “Teen Accounts” through a broad campaign involving online creators and health experts who shared supportive messages with followers while disclosing partnerships with the company.
The report argues the effort was designed to shape public opinion as Meta faces legal and political pressure over allegations that its platforms have failed to adequately protect minors from harmful content and exploitation.
Teen Accounts, introduced by Instagram for users under 17, include built-in safety measures intended to limit unwanted contact, restrict sensitive content and provide parents with additional supervision tools such as screen-time controls and privacy settings.
According to TTP, Meta invited hundreds of influencers, including parenting content creators known as “momfluencers,” to promotional events focused on the new features. The report alleges many participants later echoed Meta’s messaging on social media, sometimes using hashtags or disclosures indicating paid partnerships.
Among those identified was influencer and former reality television personality Sadie Robertson Huff, who praised Teen Accounts in a video shared with millions of followers.
“They have actually rolled out these new Teen Accounts that I think are absolutely incredible,” Robertson Huff said in a sponsored post highlighted in the report.
Other influencers mentioned included Alexia Delarosa, Noelle Downing and reality television figure Leroy Garrett, who reportedly posted positive comments after attending Meta events.
Garrett defended his cooperation with the company in comments to CNN, saying discussions about online safety required cooperation from multiple groups to create a safer environment for children.
The report also identified several doctors, psychologists and therapists who publicly supported Teen Accounts. Some reportedly appeared as speakers at Meta-sponsored events.
Among them were adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Hina Talib and psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, both of whom disclosed financial relationships with Meta while sharing supportive posts about the platform’s safety measures.
Talib told researchers she insisted on using her own wording rather than company-provided messaging during her work with Meta.
Meta has not directly responded to the TTP report but told CNN it works with creators and parents to raise awareness about parental controls and online safety tools.
The report also claims Meta used influencers to support legislation that would shift responsibility for age verification onto app stores operated by companies such as Apple and Google. Meta has argued parents should approve minors’ app downloads and that app stores should verify users’ ages.
Critics of those proposals say app-store verification alone would not address wider concerns surrounding addictive features and harmful content on social media platforms.
The findings come as Meta continues to face lawsuits in the United States accusing the company of failing to protect children online, including allegations linked to exploitation and harmful platform design.
