Young people need online spaces that prioritise dignity, inclusion, and safety, and this news threatens to undo years of progress and spread ripples that embolden online hate. So while I understand the political pressures Meta faces, these decisions knowingly erode civility online.

Teens report that witnessing hate hurts their wellbeing, even if they aren’t targeted: “I have seen things that are hateful which have affected my mental health – specifically hate towards minority groups for things out of their control. It makes me feel unloved and insecure about who I am.”