Crunchy Moms became 'the most dangerous' group on Facebook

Crunchy Moms, a Facebook group with more than 490,000 members, has become a major forum for anti-vaccine claims and other dangerous health misinformation. During a Pennsylvania measles outbreak, a parent asking whether to vaccinate a toddler was told measles could not kill children and that the MMR vaccine was poisonous. In fact, the state had reported six measles-related deaths that year, including two babies, and health officials say vaccination is the strongest protection against the disease. The group also circulates claims linking vaccines to autism and promotes purported cures, including black salve, which destroys skin tissue.

A Guardian investigation found that Facebook recommended the group to users and did not act on more than 50 reported posts and comments that appeared to breach its standards. The findings raise concern that Meta’s reduced moderation and reliance on user reports leave harmful claims unchecked, despite its stated policy against misinformation likely to cause imminent physical harm. The group’s founder says she allows free discussion but removes material she believes could hurt someone; she also says she believes vaccination contributed to her child’s autism. Experts warn that Facebook’s current approach resembles an earlier period when anti-vaccine communities flourished and children were harmed. The group is part of a network exceeding one million members, and its administrators have shared product and affiliate links alongside health advice.