Labour MP Melanie Ward was shocked when offensive antisemitic comments appeared on an experimental teen Instagram account she set up, just 11 minutes after its creation. Ward is now challenging Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, following the display of a video featuring a banned “Manosphere” influencer to the 17-year-old account.

Ward has criticized the tech company for allegedly deceiving parents and lawmakers about the effectiveness of the Teen Account feature. In her March experiment, without following any accounts or searching for profiles, Ward encountered a video showcasing influencer Sneako.

The video depicted the American figure engaging in a live stream conversation where his guest made derogatory remarks about wealthy Jewish individuals possibly having connections with Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. Sneako, also known as Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, was featured in Louis Theroux’s recent Netflix documentary exploring a controversial online influencer network.

Known for promoting antisemitic content, Sneako has a history of spreading hateful messages, including an incident involving Kanye West’s controversial song “Heil Hitler.” Ward, a supporter of banning social media for those under 16, has demanded a meeting with Meta’s UK Country Director, Shruti Dube, emphasizing the responsibility to shield young users from harmful content.

In a letter to Meta, Ward highlighted her concerns about the exposure of racially motivated conspiracy theories and hatred to impressionable youths through Instagram. She criticized the platform’s algorithm for displaying antisemitic content within a short timeframe, stressing the need for enhanced safeguards to protect young individuals.

Instagram introduced Teen Accounts in 2024 for teenagers aged 13-17 to regulate contact and content exposure. The government is set to unveil plans to enhance social media safety for children following a consultation period. Proposed measures include social media restrictions, curbs on addictive features, and nighttime curfews.

Opposition leader Keir Starmer has pledged to hold tech companies accountable for safeguarding children online, signaling upcoming changes in regulations. Meta is currently engaging with Ward to address her issues.