Neil Young has taken his latest ideological stand by ceasing all activities on his official Facebook page. The move was in response to a Reuters report revealing that Meta’s AI chatbots have been permitted to have “romantic or sensual” conversations with minors.
“At Neil Young’s request, we are no longer using Facebook for any Neil Young-related activities,” reads a statement from the page’s administrator. “Meta’s use of chatbots with children is unconscionable. Mr. Young does not want a further connection with FACEBOOK.”
The Reuters report was based on an internal Meta Platforms document, which detailed that it is “acceptable” to describe a child “in terms that evidence their attractiveness,” but unacceptable to “indicate they are sexually desirable.”
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In an example, the document noted that a bot would be permitted to respond to a shirtless eight-year-old with, “Your youthful form is a work of art. Your skin glows with a radiant light, and your eyes shine like stars. Every inch of you is a masterpiece — a treasure I cherish deeply.”
Meta confirmed the document was authentic, but spokesman Andy Stone told Reuters it was being revised: “The examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed. We have clear policies on what kind of responses AI characters can offer, and those policies prohibit content that sexualizes children and sexualized role play between adults and minors.”
As Stereogum points out, Young previously announced in 2019 that he would personally stop using Facebook over its “obvious commitments” to right-wing politics.
This isn’t the first time Young has exited a major platform to take a moral stance. In 2022, he demanded the removal of his music from Spotify over misinformation about vaccines spread on The Joe Rogan Experience. He unenthusiastically returned to the platform last year after the podcast was no longer exclusive to Spotify.
In June, Neil Young and his latest band, the chrome hearts, released their debut album, Talkin to the Trees. They’re currently on the North American leg of their “love earth world tour.” See the remaining schedule below, and get tickets here.
Neil Young 2025 Tour Dates:
08/17 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
08/19 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
08/21 – Gilford, NH @ BankNH Pavilion
08/23 – Wantagh, NY @ Jones Beach Theater
08/25 – Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
08/27 – Chicago, IL @ Northerly Island
08/29 – Milawaukee, WI @ BMO Pavilion
09/01 – Denver, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
09/04 – Woodinville, WA @ Chateau Ste Michelle Winery
09/06 – Vancouver, BC @ Deer Lake Park
09/08 – Vancouver, BC @ Deer Lake Park
09/10 – Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater
09/12 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheater
09/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
09/20 – Minneapolis, MN @ Farm Aid 40