A recent New York Times investigation has uncovered a chilling trend of pedophilia within the child influencer industry, with numerous individuals posing as photographers or social media consultants to exploit children. The report highlights Michael Allen Walker, who, while incarcerated for sexual exploitation, deceived mothers by promising their daughters increased Instagram followings. The investigation details how these perpetrators gain trust through seemingly innocuous proposals, often soliciting money for children’s clothes or photos. Meta's spokesperson emphasized existing protections for underage accounts, allowing parents to control privacy settings.