By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The family of 16-year-old Murray Dowey, who died by suicide after being blackmailed on Instagram, is suing Meta, the platform’s owner. The lawsuit alleges Meta prioritized profit over safety, despite knowing about features that could prevent sextortion. Murray was a victim of online sextortion in December 2023, where he was tricked into sending intimate images and subsequently threatened. Meta has responded by acknowledging the “horrific crime” of sextortion while highlighting safety features, such as blocking suspicious accounts and restricting teen accounts, aimed at combatting the issue.
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Parents of Scottish sextortion victim who took his own life sue Instagram owner Meta: This is a devastating story, and it’s understandably leading to a lot of strong reactions. The core of the matter is the tragic death of a 16-year-old boy, [VICTIM], in Dunblane, Scotland, who was a victim of online sextortion in December 2023. His parents, Mark and Ros Dowey, are now taking legal action against Meta, the parent company of Instagram, in a US court. They’re alleging that Meta failed to protect children on its platforms, and that the company prioritized profit over safety.
The specifics of the legal claims, as the article notes, center on the allegation that Meta “knew of safety features that would prevent sextortion” but chose not to implement them. The Dowey’s lawyer is making the case that Meta knew about safety features that would have helped stop this. This is the crux of their lawsuit. It’s important to understand the emotional toll this is taking on the family. As Mrs. Dowey shared with Sky News, there’s a sense of profound loss and a determination to see this through, emphasizing that they have “nothing left to lose” and are experiencing “unimaginable pain.”
It’s easy to see the shock and pain here. The discussion also naturally brings up the larger context of online sextortion. It’s a very real problem, and it’s happening a lot. The stories shared highlight the emotional manipulation at play and the devastating consequences, like suicide. The relief mentioned by some people who were helped by people who worked to prevent sextortion speaks volumes about the impact of these scams. We’re seeing scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics, including the use of AI, and these aren’t just isolated incidents.
The comments in this article make it clear: Meta isn’t the only problem. The issue is much bigger than that. There are those who feel the responsibility falls on the parents for not monitoring their children closely enough. They question why a 16-year-old was even on social media. Some feel Meta is not solely at fault, especially when it comes to the actions of the scammers themselves.
However, the counter-argument is just as strong. There is a sense that the platforms themselves have a responsibility. There’s mention of the “growing army of parents” who are experiencing “unimaginable pain” due to social media platforms. Some feel that platforms should have better protections in place. They should be taking the initiative to identify minors and ban them, or at the very least, they should take concrete steps to make the platforms safer for young people.
Meta’s response, through its spokesperson, cites existing safety measures like placing teens under 16 into private accounts by default, preventing suspicious accounts from following teens, and blurring potentially sensitive images. However, the lawsuit suggests that these measures aren’t enough, and there are additional features that Meta could have implemented. The response also states that, since 2021, teens under 16 who sign up for Instagram are placed in private accounts by default. They also work to prevent accounts showing suspicious behavior from following teens and avoid recommending teens to them. They also take steps like blurring potentially sensitive images sent in DMs and reminding teens of the risks of sharing them.
The scale of the problem is highlighted by the stories of those who have personally experienced the impact of sextortion scams. The stories describe aggressive manipulation and threats, with devastating consequences. The article brings up a professor who took their life due to sextortion, highlighting the destructive nature of these scams. The issue is more complex than just the platform, it is also the result of the actions of the scammers, the people who are carrying out the sextortion.
While there is certainly plenty of blame to go around, it’s clear the Dowey’s lawsuit is a sign of a larger, evolving conversation. It also raises the question: can platforms be held accountable for the actions of their users, especially when those actions lead to such dire outcomes? It highlights the difficult balance between freedom of expression, profit, and the safety of vulnerable users.