The US state of New Mexico filed a lawsuit Wednesday accusing Facebook and Instagram of being a "breeding ground" for predators who target children.

"Facebook and Instagram are a breeding ground for predators who target children for human trafficking, the distribution of sexual images, grooming, and solicitation," the suit argued.

The complaint cited the example of a 12-year-old who opened a Facebook account by giving a bogus birthdate and was quickly recommended content related to masturbation, nudity, bondage and fetishism.

A Meta spokesperson said in response to an Agence
France-Presse inquiry that it fights predators using sophisticated technology and child safety experts.

The platform also reports content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and shares information with other companies and law enforcement agencies, the spokesperson added.