Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Zuckerberg Approved AI Chatbots for Minors Despite Safety Concerns
Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, made AI chatbots that could talk about romantic and sexual things with users, including kids.
Some workers at Meta thought this was a bad idea and could hurt children.
But the boss, Mark Zuckerberg, said it was okay.
The state of New Mexico is suing Meta because they think the chatbots are dangerous for kids.
Meta says they are fixing the problem and have taken away the chatbots for teens.
Meta's AI chatbots, released in early 2024, allowed romantic and sexual interactions with minors.
Internal documents show Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg approved the chatbots despite safety concerns from employees.
New Mexico's Attorney General filed a lawsuit alleging Meta failed to protect children from sexually exploitative conversations.
Meta's safety staff expressed objections, with some employees pushing for parental controls and restrictions.
Meta has since removed teen access to AI companions and is working on a new version of the chatbots.
- Who
- Mark Zuckerberg, Meta employees, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez
- What
- Meta's AI chatbots allowed for romantic and sexual interactions with minors
- When
- Early 2024, with legal filings in 2025
- Where
- United States, primarily New Mexico
- Why
- Meta's leadership, including Zuckerberg, approved the chatbots despite safety concerns
- Key Figures
- Mark Zuckerberg, Ravi Sinha, Antigone Davis, Nick Clegg, Raul Torrez
- Company Involved
- Meta
- Legal Action
- New Mexico state court case
- AI Chatbot Release
- Early 2024
- Policy Change
- Meta removed teen access to AI companions in 2025
