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Parents Sue Meta Over Son's Instagram Sextortion Suicide
18 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Scottish parents are suing Instagram's owner, Meta, in a US court.
- Their teenage son died by suicide after being blackmailed on Instagram.
- The lawsuit claims the platform was not safe for children.
A landmark legal case has been initiated in a US court, with a Scottish couple suing Meta, the parent company of Instagram. The lawsuit stems from the tragic death of their 16-year-old son, Murray Dowey, who took his own life in December 2023.
The grieving parents allege that their son was a victim of sextortion on the platform. They are seeking punitive damages, arguing that Instagram failed to provide a safe environment for its young users. This legal challenge is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK against the social media giant.
Meta, which also owns Facebook, has been approached for statements regarding the lawsuit. The company has previously asserted that it has made significant modifications to its platforms to better safeguard children online. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for social media platform accountability.
