Court Forces Meta to Shut Down Accounts Sharing Child Porn Involving SA Schoolkids

In a landmark ruling, the Gauteng High Court has ordered Meta to take immediate action against anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp Channels distributing explicit videos and images of South African schoolchildren. The decision comes after urgent legal action by the Digital Law Company, which exposed how minors were being exploited and humiliated online.

A Disturbing Trend in Schools

The case revealed horrifying content, including a video of a Grade 12 boy having sex with a Grade 9 girl in a school bathroom, reportedly filmed by another pupil. Other material showed private moments of students being shared without consent, often alongside their names, schools, and degrading captions.

Emma Sadlier, a social media law expert leading the case, described the situation as “a flagrant violation of children’s rights.” She warned that despite Meta occasionally removing some accounts, new ones kept popping up, allowing the cycle of abuse to continue.

The Court’s Stern Order

Judge Mudauzwi Makamu ruled that Meta must:

• Immediately shut down all linked accounts and channels

• Permanently ban the creators from making new profiles

• Hand over all identifying information of the culprits by July 15

Advocate Ben Winks argued successfully that the distribution of such material was not just illegal but also psychologically devastating for the victims.

A Warning to Parents

Sadlier urged parents to check their children’s phones, particularly WhatsApp’s “Updates” section, where these predatory channels operate.

“The content is horrific, child sexual abuse material disguised as gossip,” she said. “Parents must act now before more lives are ruined.”

Social Media Backlash

The case has sparked outrage online, with many calling for stricter regulations on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram. Some parents shared stories of their own children being approached for explicit content, while others demanded Meta take stronger action against anonymous abusers.

Meta has yet to respond publicly, but legal experts say this ruling sets a crucial precedent. If tech giants fail to act swiftly against child exploitation, courts may impose even harsher penalties.

For now, the message is clear: South Africa’s children must be protected, both in schools and online.

{Source: The Citizen}

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