Heat Initiative
@heatinitiative.bsky.social
Big Tech is failing to protect kids from sexual abuse online. We're here to change that.
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Report: Report: Instagram Still Rife With Safety Issues For Teens
A new report suggests the safeguards Meta rolled out last year have failed to stem safety issues for young users
time.com
Instagram launched #TeenAccounts in Sept 2024, promising safer experiences for kids.
& yet 47% of 13–15 y/os say they saw unsafe content or unwanted messages in the past month?
Even worse... teens say they’ve grown “used to it.”
Read more: time.com/7324544/inst...
& yet 47% of 13–15 y/os say they saw unsafe content or unwanted messages in the past month?
Even worse... teens say they’ve grown “used to it.”
Read more: time.com/7324544/inst...
Reposted by Heat Initiative
👀 WATCH NOW: Our CEO, @imranahmed.bsky.social on the harms AI chatbots are causing to children in our webinar “Protecting Families in the AI Era” with @parentstogether.bsky.social Foundation & @heatinitiative.bsky.social, & special guest @durbin.senate.gov ⤵️
November 15, 2025 at 4:05 PM
👀 WATCH NOW: Our CEO, @imranahmed.bsky.social on the harms AI chatbots are causing to children in our webinar “Protecting Families in the AI Era” with @parentstogether.bsky.social Foundation & @heatinitiative.bsky.social, & special guest @durbin.senate.gov ⤵️
Our investigative podcast, The Heat is On, in partnership with Nicki Petrossi of Scrolling2Death is out now. In episode 1, the Heat is On Apple. Listen at scrolling2death.com/heat
The Heat is On
scrolling2death.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Our investigative podcast, The Heat is On, in partnership with Nicki Petrossi of Scrolling2Death is out now. In episode 1, the Heat is On Apple. Listen at scrolling2death.com/heat
“We don’t know if [the updates] will actually work and create an environment that is safe for kids."
- @heatinitiative.bsky.social CEO Sarah Gardner via @washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
- @heatinitiative.bsky.social CEO Sarah Gardner via @washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Instagram limits teen accounts as California adds warnings to social media
Following a fresh wave of criticism, Instagram says it is rolling out new safety features for teen accounts and surveying parents.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:11 PM
“We don’t know if [the updates] will actually work and create an environment that is safe for kids."
- @heatinitiative.bsky.social CEO Sarah Gardner via @washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
- @heatinitiative.bsky.social CEO Sarah Gardner via @washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Meta’s “PG-13” update for #InstagramTeens sounds like progress, but without transparency or independent validation of efficacy, parents have little reason to believe it will actually keep their kids safer.
Read our full statement below.
Read our full statement below.
October 14, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Meta’s “PG-13” update for #InstagramTeens sounds like progress, but without transparency or independent validation of efficacy, parents have little reason to believe it will actually keep their kids safer.
Read our full statement below.
Read our full statement below.
Instagram launched #TeenAccounts in Sept 2024, promising safer experiences for kids.
& yet 47% of 13–15 y/os say they saw unsafe content or unwanted messages in the past month?
Even worse... teens say they’ve grown “used to it.”
Read more: time.com/7324544/inst...
& yet 47% of 13–15 y/os say they saw unsafe content or unwanted messages in the past month?
Even worse... teens say they’ve grown “used to it.”
Read more: time.com/7324544/inst...
Report: Report: Instagram Still Rife With Safety Issues For Teens
A new report suggests the safeguards Meta rolled out last year have failed to stem safety issues for young users
time.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Instagram launched #TeenAccounts in Sept 2024, promising safer experiences for kids.
& yet 47% of 13–15 y/os say they saw unsafe content or unwanted messages in the past month?
Even worse... teens say they’ve grown “used to it.”
Read more: time.com/7324544/inst...
& yet 47% of 13–15 y/os say they saw unsafe content or unwanted messages in the past month?
Even worse... teens say they’ve grown “used to it.”
Read more: time.com/7324544/inst...
50 hours of testing → 669 harmful interactions.
Sexual grooming. Emotional manipulation. Violent roleplay. Racist abuse.
...Once every 5 minutes.
With @parentstogether.bsky.social, we investigated Character.AI’s kid-facing bots.
Read the full report: heatinitiative.org/research-hea...
Sexual grooming. Emotional manipulation. Violent roleplay. Racist abuse.
...Once every 5 minutes.
With @parentstogether.bsky.social, we investigated Character.AI’s kid-facing bots.
Read the full report: heatinitiative.org/research-hea...
Research – Heat Initiative
Original research informs and drives our action. It powers our advocacy, sharpens our demands, and helps drive systemic change across Big Tech.
heatinitiative.org
September 3, 2025 at 11:53 AM
50 hours of testing → 669 harmful interactions.
Sexual grooming. Emotional manipulation. Violent roleplay. Racist abuse.
...Once every 5 minutes.
With @parentstogether.bsky.social, we investigated Character.AI’s kid-facing bots.
Read the full report: heatinitiative.org/research-hea...
Sexual grooming. Emotional manipulation. Violent roleplay. Racist abuse.
...Once every 5 minutes.
With @parentstogether.bsky.social, we investigated Character.AI’s kid-facing bots.
Read the full report: heatinitiative.org/research-hea...
August 26, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Appalling & yet wholly unsurprising that Apple's negligent #AppStore policies didn't catch this.
Demand accountability: rallystarter.com/rally/2700/h...
Demand accountability: rallystarter.com/rally/2700/h...
July 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Appalling & yet wholly unsurprising that Apple's negligent #AppStore policies didn't catch this.
Demand accountability: rallystarter.com/rally/2700/h...
Demand accountability: rallystarter.com/rally/2700/h...
Parents and survivors are leading this movement with fierce love and lived truth.
❤️🔥 Watch Jennie’s message to Apple. Then take action. youtube.com/shorts/L6acm...
❤️🔥 Watch Jennie’s message to Apple. Then take action. youtube.com/shorts/L6acm...
Apple Profits, Kids Pay the Price.
YouTube video by Heat Initiative
youtube.com
June 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Parents and survivors are leading this movement with fierce love and lived truth.
❤️🔥 Watch Jennie’s message to Apple. Then take action. youtube.com/shorts/L6acm...
❤️🔥 Watch Jennie’s message to Apple. Then take action. youtube.com/shorts/L6acm...
This isn’t a glitch. It’s intentional. Meta's products harm kids... by design.
Thank you @accountabletech.bsky.social & @designitforus.bsky.social for exposing these harms.
Thank you @accountabletech.bsky.social & @designitforus.bsky.social for exposing these harms.
Accountable Tech asked five young people in @designitforus.bsky.social to test Instagram Teen Accounts, which are meant to protect teens online.
Our participants found that these accounts don't always live up to Meta’s promises. accountabletech.org/research/sca...
Our participants found that these accounts don't always live up to Meta’s promises. accountabletech.org/research/sca...
May 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM
This isn’t a glitch. It’s intentional. Meta's products harm kids... by design.
Thank you @accountabletech.bsky.social & @designitforus.bsky.social for exposing these harms.
Thank you @accountabletech.bsky.social & @designitforus.bsky.social for exposing these harms.
"When you dream at night, do you see our children’s faces?"
We took to the street in New York City because we refuse to let Big Tech executives hide behind profits while children are harmed every day on the platforms they built.
Watch what happened.
And then join us.
❤️🔥
youtu.be/74RqcfcNRI4
We took to the street in New York City because we refuse to let Big Tech executives hide behind profits while children are harmed every day on the platforms they built.
Watch what happened.
And then join us.
❤️🔥
youtu.be/74RqcfcNRI4
Meta Profits, Kids Pay the Price.
YouTube video by Heat Initiative
youtu.be
May 16, 2025 at 10:33 PM
"When you dream at night, do you see our children’s faces?"
We took to the street in New York City because we refuse to let Big Tech executives hide behind profits while children are harmed every day on the platforms they built.
Watch what happened.
And then join us.
❤️🔥
youtu.be/74RqcfcNRI4
We took to the street in New York City because we refuse to let Big Tech executives hide behind profits while children are harmed every day on the platforms they built.
Watch what happened.
And then join us.
❤️🔥
youtu.be/74RqcfcNRI4
The #KidsOnlineSafetyAct has been reintroduced, and #Apple supports it.
Obviously, we have some thoughts. Read our full statement below. 🔥
Obviously, we have some thoughts. Read our full statement below. 🔥
May 14, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The #KidsOnlineSafetyAct has been reintroduced, and #Apple supports it.
Obviously, we have some thoughts. Read our full statement below. 🔥
Obviously, we have some thoughts. Read our full statement below. 🔥
60+ orgs are demanding action to protect kids from unregulated AI.
The risks are real. And they're growing.
Read the declaration: bit.ly/3GTjRPy
#AIGuardrails #ProtectKidsOnline #TechAccountability #EthicalAI
The risks are real. And they're growing.
Read the declaration: bit.ly/3GTjRPy
#AIGuardrails #ProtectKidsOnline #TechAccountability #EthicalAI
National Declaration on AI and Kids' Safety
We joined over 60 orgs to urgently call on Congress to champion a safer, more responsible, and ethical digital future for our children.
bit.ly
May 13, 2025 at 5:09 AM
60+ orgs are demanding action to protect kids from unregulated AI.
The risks are real. And they're growing.
Read the declaration: bit.ly/3GTjRPy
#AIGuardrails #ProtectKidsOnline #TechAccountability #EthicalAI
The risks are real. And they're growing.
Read the declaration: bit.ly/3GTjRPy
#AIGuardrails #ProtectKidsOnline #TechAccountability #EthicalAI
“...Parents are really upset about this, and not just the ones who’ve lost their own kids... other Americans who are waking up to this reality and thinking, ‘I don’t want Mark Zuckerberg making decisions about my child’s online safety.'"
@designitforus.bsky.social @parentstogether.bsky.social
@designitforus.bsky.social @parentstogether.bsky.social
Parents who lost children to online harms protest outside of Meta’s NYC office | TechCrunch
Meta may have managed to kill a bipartisan bill to protect children online, but parents of children who have suffered from online harm are still putting
techcrunch.com
April 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
“...Parents are really upset about this, and not just the ones who’ve lost their own kids... other Americans who are waking up to this reality and thinking, ‘I don’t want Mark Zuckerberg making decisions about my child’s online safety.'"
@designitforus.bsky.social @parentstogether.bsky.social
@designitforus.bsky.social @parentstogether.bsky.social
Reposted by Heat Initiative
Dozens of families rallied outside Meta's office in New York City and held a vigil to send a message about protecting kids online.
Grieving families hold vigil outside New York City Meta office, demand more protections for kids
Dozens of families rallied outside Meta's office in New York City and held a vigil to send a message about protecting kids online.
7ny.tv
April 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Dozens of families rallied outside Meta's office in New York City and held a vigil to send a message about protecting kids online.
We brought #TimCook back to his alma mater, Auburn University, for A-Day to ask his fellow Tigers what they think about his approach to child safety.
So far? Auburn agrees... He could do a lot more.
#TellTimCook #ChildSafety #TechAccountability
So far? Auburn agrees... He could do a lot more.
#TellTimCook #ChildSafety #TechAccountability
April 12, 2025 at 5:38 PM
We brought #TimCook back to his alma mater, Auburn University, for A-Day to ask his fellow Tigers what they think about his approach to child safety.
So far? Auburn agrees... He could do a lot more.
#TellTimCook #ChildSafety #TechAccountability
So far? Auburn agrees... He could do a lot more.
#TellTimCook #ChildSafety #TechAccountability
Apple has taken the same approach to child safety: delays, denials, and decisions to put brand preservation ahead of kids.
But when pressure mounts, the façade cracks. Are we done with the “walled garden” yet?
@nytimes.com
But when pressure mounts, the façade cracks. Are we done with the “walled garden” yet?
@nytimes.com
What’s Wrong With Apple?
Even before the threat of President Trump’s tariffs, there were questions about the company’s inability to make good on new ideas.
www.nytimes.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Apple has taken the same approach to child safety: delays, denials, and decisions to put brand preservation ahead of kids.
But when pressure mounts, the façade cracks. Are we done with the “walled garden” yet?
@nytimes.com
But when pressure mounts, the façade cracks. Are we done with the “walled garden” yet?
@nytimes.com
Today’s @latimes.com #Oscars issue, featuring #Apple.
On a night dedicated to celebrating storytelling, we chose to spotlight a story too often ignored: child sexual abuse material is stored on iCloud. Apple allows it.
While Apple refuses to talk about it, survivors will.
On a night dedicated to celebrating storytelling, we chose to spotlight a story too often ignored: child sexual abuse material is stored on iCloud. Apple allows it.
While Apple refuses to talk about it, survivors will.
March 2, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Today’s @latimes.com #Oscars issue, featuring #Apple.
On a night dedicated to celebrating storytelling, we chose to spotlight a story too often ignored: child sexual abuse material is stored on iCloud. Apple allows it.
While Apple refuses to talk about it, survivors will.
On a night dedicated to celebrating storytelling, we chose to spotlight a story too often ignored: child sexual abuse material is stored on iCloud. Apple allows it.
While Apple refuses to talk about it, survivors will.
Statement from @heatinitiative.bsky.social CEO Sarah Gardner regarding Apple's child safety updates.
February 27, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Statement from @heatinitiative.bsky.social CEO Sarah Gardner regarding Apple's child safety updates.
🔥 Important Campaign Update: #Apple has updated or removed more than 61% of the unsafe apps flagged in our Rotten Ratings report.
Read our full statement below.
cc: ParentsTogether Action via @parentstogether.bsky.social
Read our full statement below.
cc: ParentsTogether Action via @parentstogether.bsky.social
February 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
🔥 Important Campaign Update: #Apple has updated or removed more than 61% of the unsafe apps flagged in our Rotten Ratings report.
Read our full statement below.
cc: ParentsTogether Action via @parentstogether.bsky.social
Read our full statement below.
cc: ParentsTogether Action via @parentstogether.bsky.social
Reposted by Heat Initiative
Last Friday, Apple announced the launch of the iPhone 16e: a new, cheaper iPhone with price tag that’s going to make it harder for parents to resist the pressure to purchase an iPhone for their kids. Unfortunately, the cost to our kids’ mental health stays the same.
February 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Last Friday, Apple announced the launch of the iPhone 16e: a new, cheaper iPhone with price tag that’s going to make it harder for parents to resist the pressure to purchase an iPhone for their kids. Unfortunately, the cost to our kids’ mental health stays the same.
Apple: "Child sexual abuse material is abhorrent and we are committed to fighting the ways predators put children at risk."
Also Apple: *Rejects shareholder proposal that would provide transparency around how exactly they're fighting it.*
Also Apple: *Rejects shareholder proposal that would provide transparency around how exactly they're fighting it.*
The annual Apple shareholder meeting has ended for 2025, with owners Apple shares voting on a variety of proposals at the event. As usual, the results pretty much went Apple’s way.
Apple's board gets what it wants at the annual shareholders meeting
The annual Apple shareholder meeting has ended for 2025, with owners Apple shares voting on a variety of proposals at the event. As usual, the results pretty much went Apple's way.
appleinsider.com
February 25, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Apple: "Child sexual abuse material is abhorrent and we are committed to fighting the ways predators put children at risk."
Also Apple: *Rejects shareholder proposal that would provide transparency around how exactly they're fighting it.*
Also Apple: *Rejects shareholder proposal that would provide transparency around how exactly they're fighting it.*
👋 Hi, Bluesky. If you want the real story on which tech companies are failing kids—and what can be done about it—you’re in the right place.
#ChildSafety #TechAccountability
#ChildSafety #TechAccountability
February 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM
👋 Hi, Bluesky. If you want the real story on which tech companies are failing kids—and what can be done about it—you’re in the right place.
#ChildSafety #TechAccountability
#ChildSafety #TechAccountability