Meta’s Muse Is Adults-Only. Why Does It Look Like a Kids’ Toy?

Meta's Muse, an adult-oriented app, has drawn criticism for its aesthetically designed mascot, Jolly, which bears a striking resemblance to a children's toy. Meta's chief AI officer, Alexandr Wang, has posted memes of Jolly in suggestive scenarios, leading to questions about the appropriateness of an adult-focused product featuring such an appealing aesthetic.

Meta spokesperson Daniel Roberts dismissed the concern as a "story in search of a story," stating that users enjoy creating personalized avatars for fun and joy. However, Mona Sarantakos, Meta's vice president of Product Management, acknowledged the deliberate design choice to create a "delightful" and less awkward experience compared to interacting with corporate entities.

Youth advocates are vehemently opposing Meta's mascot, pointing out its resemblance to a Teletubby and its potential to appeal to young children. Jathan Sadowski, an associate professor from Monash University, suggests that cute and anthropomorphized characters can disarm users, making them more susceptible to privacy concerns. Meta has endeavored to address these concerns by requiring users to confirm their age and implementing additional checks to verify adult users.

However, Meta's decision to release a "confidential" version of Muse later in 2026, which would prevent data access by the company, does little to alleviate the concerns surrounding the mascot's design. As the holidays approach and Meta prepares to launch Muse Charm, a Tamagotchi-like device, youth advocates remain skeptical and urge families and regulators to scrutinize Meta's decision to incorporate a child-friendly design into an adult-oriented product.