Facebook sued by father for allegedly exposing his 11-year old daughter to sexual predators

[Exterminator]

Content source

http://www.neowin.net/news/facebook-sued-by-father-for-allegedly-exposing-his-11-year-old-daughter-to-sexual-predators

Facebook is undeniably that one place on the internet where many people can just cross paths. Family, friends, enemies, ex-lovers, or even complete strangers of all ages can meet on the social networking site. Apparently, this is what led an 11-year old into signing up for the service, in search for sexual relief from other men.

A father has sued the social networking company for exposing his daughter to sexual predators all over the internet, and for failing to implement its age restriction rule. Facebook only allows sign-ups for people who are 13 years of age and above.

The girl, who was not named, apparently started a number of accounts by faking her age, and started posting suggestive photos of herself. According to court documents, the posts included information on where she lives, and where she studies. She reportedly received a couple of disturbing pictures from predators.

Facebook, upon being made aware that the girl was underage to use the service, deleted her accounts. However, the father has stated that the company should have done more in restricting young people from signing up for an account on the website.

The father's lawyers have mentioned that Facebook's registration system was far too lax, and the company was too negligent in creating a system that allowed children to misrepresent their ages. They also iterated that Facebook has a 'duty of care' for its security, as well as the need for extra measures in order to better verify the identity of a person, like the use of passport ID's.

Further court documents obtained by The Sunday Times said:

By registering an account and using Facebook the child might be exposing herself to sexual predators or other grave risks affecting her emotional and physical health.[Facebook] are obviously aware that children who should not be using Facebook are doing so by using the simple device of misrepresenting their age.

It has been reported that Facebook and the family had reached an agreement, even before the scheduled trial, which will reportedly begin soon. A Facebook spokesperson has declined to further comment on the issue.

Back in 2014, Facebook was also sued by an Austrian law student, for an issue regarding collection of user data for advertising purposes.

Source: Inquisitr

 

[Deleted member 178]

Pfff another irresponsable father, he shouldnt left his uneducated daughter alone on internet , showing hot pix of herself, Then he blames facebook...pathethic...

 

[SpartacusSystem]

Not Facebook's fault as they require users to be a minimum age of 13. I'm also aware it's a Federal law in the States called COPPA. Correct me if I'm wrong. Not sure weather it's a law in UK though.

 

[Ink]

A recent video, a Part 2 is expected.

 

[jamescv7]

Remember any cases happen which result to be untoward will not hold any liable like Facebook.

Since it just use a primary tool to register and its up to the person willingly to take a risk.

 

[Viking]

When signing up to Facebook, how often do people use their real birth date (especially kids) ??

 

[OokamiCreed]

I've learned that it's human nature to blame everything on someone else to feel better about what you've done wrong either in the past or present. Same with making of fun of other's problems instead of fixing your own. Like being a bad parent but behaving like something else is the reason why your kid was exposed to something they really shouldn't be exposed to. I believe that certain things you should expose your kid to. Not things though that can scar them. Like this stuff here.

In the US, it's a big thing to blame the gun for a killing, rather than blaming the one who pulled the trigger as an anti-gun campaign brainwashing crap. A knife could do the same exact thing. So can a spoon. Or your fist. It's all about being responsible, using tools properly, and teaching those who use or own them how to use them. In this case, it's using the internet properly. Teaching your kid about sex, etc. You signed up for being a parent. Be a good one. It's not a choice after you go through with having a kid or adopting.

 

[frogboy]

It is not Facebook's fault it is just lazy parents make bad parents, i put a lot of work into being a good parent (or at least i hope so)

 

[Sr. Normal]

It is not Facebook's fault it is just lazy parents make bad parents, i put a lot of work into being a good parent (or at least i hope so)

Sure you are

Education. education and education. Nothing more and nothing less

 

[Mr. Tech]

Sounds like the father wasn't monitoring his daughter's online activities as he should have been doing so he is in the wrong himself; not Facebook.