Journalist explains challenges in prosecuting Meta over child safety harms

Investigative journalist Katy McQue, known for her long‑standing coverage of Meta’s platforms and their impact on children, discussed the legal challenges facing efforts to hold the company accountable during a recent interview with reporter Annie Kelly. McQue highlighted that, although journalists, prosecutors, bereaved families and advocacy groups have amassed extensive documentation of alleged harms, translating that evidence into courtroom action has proven exceptionally difficult. She noted that prosecutors often employ tactics such as demanding overly broad discovery, invoking complex jurisdictional arguments, and leveraging the company’s extensive legal resources to delay or dismiss cases.

The interview underscored a broader pattern in which social‑media firms like Meta can evade litigation despite mounting public and investigative pressure. McQue’s commentary points to a systemic gap between the accumulation of evidence and the ability of legal systems to pursue meaningful accountability, leaving affected families and policymakers to seek alternative avenues for reform.