Meta and HBO have been called out for “targeting children with harmful content” after both platforms were named on the Parents Television and Media Council‘s “Naughty List.”
PTC evaluates the best and worst family content and publishes the results in its annual “Naughty & Nice List.”
PTC states that its mission is to “protect children and families from graphic sex, violence and profanity in the media, because of their proven, long-term harmful effects.”
Warning parents against HBO, the watchdog said the entertainment channel “has led the charge towards marketing explicit, adult content to children and teens, introducing the sexually explicit ‘The Idol’ to viewers this past summer.”
Making matters worse, PTC also found that HBO’s streaming platform Max has mediocre parental controls.
Also, on the “Naughty List” was Meta, which is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
PTC says the company continues to be revealed by media outlets, whistleblowers, and lawsuits as fueling child sexual exploitation, providing a platform for pedophiles, and enabling sexually explicit and other harmful content that targets teens, especially teen girls.
On the positive side of the ledger are AppleTV+ and Bentkey. PTC says they are offering more family entertainment and serve as models that the entertainment business can emulate.