Target: Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and CEO of Meta
Goal: Prevent proliferation of content featuring torture and killing of animals.
A cat is shot with an air gun and suffers a ruptured spleen. A fox and a hedgehog lose their lives from suspected catapult attacks. These harrowing incidents represent just a few of the 370-plus weapon-related animal attacks that took place in England and Wales in just one year’s time. Statistics suggest that animal cruelty crimes involving slingshots, crossbows, catapults, and air guns have risen by roughly a quarter, with cats disproportionately targeted in these heinous attacks.
Other reports indicate that sick social media trends may be driving these soaring rates. In many cases, perpetrators film themselves performing these cruel attacks in the hopes of gaining attention on online platforms. One particularly troubling investigation uncovered an alleged network of young children who reportedly intentionally tortured and killed animals with catapults. The apparent acts were then distributed on the WhatsApp messaging platform.
WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which has faced intense scrutiny for violent content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms as well. Sign the petition below to demand this powerful influencer do more to stop the rampant and unchecked spread of animal cruelty online.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Zuckerberg,
A recent survey from the United Kingdom found that nearly half of youth have reported seeing online animal cruelty within the past year. Meta’s WhatsApp messaging service alone allegedly helped proliferate content that reportedly depicted violent catapult attacks against animals by children. Even viral trends depicting the taunting of pets is a slippery slope that can lead to larger cruelties.
Despite various laws against some of these practices, the cruelty continues. Please be a social media leader in combating and neutralizing this disturbing rise in inhumanity. Take every measure possible to ensure Meta and its platforms are not a home for animal cruelty.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Jessica Lewis: The Painted Square
The Internet can be wonderful or evil. It does influence out children. Animals are being killed constantly due to the videos shown. There are no laws? We have no power to stop this? People, as a category, lack courage. They also lack parental guidance. When kids, no matter the age, are brought to face the death of animals which they caused, they should be shown how this reflects the lives these animals may have. Children can not be allowed to harm other living things. If they do, place them in a home for destructive youth. Bring the parents to trial. Take the rest of the children into homes or orphanages. Parents, by law, must answer for the sins of their children.
The only thing I’m worried about when it comes to signing this petition is would it stop animal rights activists from being able to share footage online to raise awareness and promote their cause?