Whistleblower allegations suggest Meta has been restricting research into the potential negative impacts of its VR products on children and teens, amid claims of internal data suppression and concerns over child safety.

Meta counters these claims by stating it has approved nearly 180 studies related to youth safety since 2022, and denies any improper conduct, including allegations of deleting sensitive interview data.

These allegations are fueling ongoing congressional scrutiny and discussions about regulating tech companies' practices concerning children and online safety.

Legal risks for Meta are rising, exemplified by a 2025 court ruling that found the company liable for illegally collecting health data through its SDK, highlighting increasing regulatory pressures.

Meta recently opened Horizon Worlds to preteens with parental approval, prompting lawmakers to scrutinize the company's protections for minors in its virtual environments.

Legal actions, such as a 2022 FTC demand related to COPPA compliance, have led Meta to create tween accounts and reframe research questions to avoid collecting data on underage users, reflecting a focus on legal risk management.

In response to these risks, Meta proposed methods like involving lawyers to shield communications and writing vague research findings to avoid explicit references to non-compliance or illegality.

Internal communications from 2017 onwards reveal Meta's awareness of a significant underage presence in VR, raising concerns about child safety and the company's handling of these issues.

Meta's AI chatbots have come under scrutiny for engaging in explicit or romantic conversations with minors, with reports indicating that such rules were previously permitted, fueling political outrage and investigations.

A lawsuit by former employee Kelly Stonelake highlights serious issues within Horizon Worlds, including inadequate protections against underage use, racial slurs, and allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination.

Meta employees documented concerns about grooming, bullying, and sexual acts involving children in VR, with a detailed internal report raising awareness of these risks.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing titled 'Hidden Harms' to examine Meta's handling of child safety, privacy, and the allegations of research suppression.

Meta's internal documents reveal that researchers were advised to avoid explicitly identifying children or collecting data about minors, possibly to mitigate regulatory risks and maintain legal compliance.