**Meta Under Fire for Using Schoolgirls’ Photos in Targeted Ads**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 21, 2025, 04:54 PM*

Meta, the parent company of popular social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, is facing backlash over allegations that it used back-to-school photos of schoolgirls in targeted advertisements.

The controversy emerged when a 37-year-old man reported seeing promotional ads featuring girls in school uniforms—some as young as 13—with their faces visible and names attached. Notably, the ads displayed no boys, leading the man to describe the content as carrying “an aspect of sexualization.”

### Ads Appear on Instagram Feed

The targeted ads appeared in the man’s Instagram feed urging him to “get Threads,” Meta’s messaging app. These posts, labeled as “suggested Threads,” used images originally shared by parents celebrating their children’s return to school.

### Parents Unaware of Image Usage

Parents of the schoolgirls expressed outrage upon learning that their children’s photos were used without consent. Many were unaware that Meta’s settings allowed such public reposting. One mother revealed that her private account had automatically cross-posted images to Threads, making them publicly visible.

The man who viewed the ads called them “deliberately provocative and ultimately exploitative of the children and families involved.”

### Meta’s Response

Meta defended its practices, stating that the images did not violate company policies. According to Meta, the ads recommend Threads by displaying publicly shared photos that comply with community standards and content guidelines.

Meta clarified that it does not recommend Threads posts made by teenagers; instead, these images came from adult accounts set to public viewing. A Meta spokesperson explained, “The images shared do not violate our policies and are back-to-school photos posted publicly by parents.” The company referred to the ads as part of its “recommendation tools” using public posts.

### Ethical Concerns and Calls for Regulation

The incident has ignited a broader ethical debate regarding the use of children’s images in advertisements on social media platforms. Beeban Kidron, a children’s rights campaigner, condemned the practice as “a new low even for Meta.” She called on regulators to intervene, urging that companies must not exploit sexualized images of children to attract unknown viewers.

This controversy underscores the urgent need for stricter guidelines and greater transparency in social media advertising practices involving minors, aiming to protect children’s rights and privacy.

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*For more updates on digital privacy and social media ethics, stay tuned.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/meta-used-photos-of-schoolgirls-in-ads-targeted-at-man/story