Social media companies will not put lives before profit – Brianna Ghey’s mother

Social media companies will not put lives before profit – Brianna Ghey’s mother

  • 23.03.2025 20:00
  • independent.co.uk
  • Keywords: danger, success

Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teen Brianna, doubts social media companies will prioritize lives over profit. Speaking at a documentary screening about her daughter’s life and death, she criticized platforms for failing to protect young users from harmful content and algorithms.

Meta NewsMETAsentiment_dissatisfiedXOMsentiment_dissatisfied
open_in_newOriginal article

Estimated market influence

Meta

Meta

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Strong buy

Meta is mentioned as a social media company that Esther Ghey believes does not prioritize lives over profit, which has negative implications for online safety.

X

X

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Buy

X is referenced in the context of harmful content contributing to Brianna's mental health struggles, indicating a negative influence on her well-being.

TikTok

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

TikTok is mentioned as a platform where Brianna had thousands of followers but was exposed to harmful content that affected her mental health, leading to negative implications for user safety and well-being.

Context

Analysis and Summary: Business Insights and Market Implications

Key Facts and Data Points:

  • Brianna Ghey: Murdered at 16 by classmates Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe on February 11, 2023. She was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife.
  • Social Media Usage:
    • Brianna had thousands of TikTok followers.
    • Accessing harmful content (eating disorders, self-harm) on X (formerly Twitter).
  • Killers' Online Behavior:
    • Jenkinson, one of the killers, consumed violent content on the dark web and fantasized about murder.
  • Esther Ghey's Comments:
    • Doubts social media companies will prioritize lives over profit.
    • Supports a ban on social media for under-16s.
    • Criticizes the Online Safety Act as insufficient.
    • Highlights lack of support from platforms when reporting harmful content.

Market Trends and Business Impact:

  • Online Safety Concerns: Increased scrutiny on social media companies' algorithms, content moderation, and user safety measures.
  • Reputation Risk: Potential damage to brand reputation due to public perception of prioritizing profit over safety.
  • Regulatory Pressure: Likely focus on stricter regulations for child safety and platform accountability.

Competitive Dynamics:

  • Algorithmic Defenselessness: Highlighted by Arturo Bejar (Meta) that users are "defenseless" against harmful algorithms.
  • Strategic Considerations:
    • Companies may need to invest in better content moderation tools and user protection measures.
    • Risk of losing younger audiences due to stricter regulations or public backlash.

Long-Term Effects:

  • Potential Policy Changes: Stricter age limits, platform accountability, and mandatory mindfulness education in schools.
  • Shifts in User Behavior: Increased awareness of online dangers may lead to reduced social media usage among youth.

Regulatory Impacts:

  • Public Trust Erosion: Risks of losing user trust if platforms fail to address safety concerns.
  • Global Scrutiny: Similar issues may face scrutiny in other countries, leading to broader regulatory actions.

Strategic Considerations for Social Media Companies:

  • Investment in Safety Tools: Enhanced algorithms and moderation systems to prevent harmful content.
  • Public Relations: Need for transparent communication on safety measures and user protection efforts.