epa13177648 Protesters and campaigners gather for the landmark federal trial against Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, USA, 18 August 2026. Attorneys general from 29 states allege that Meta designed its social media platforms to be addictive to children and teenagers, misled the public about their safety and illegally collected data from children under 13. EPA/KANOA SHIM-LY Source: EPA / Kanoa Shim-Ly/EPA
A landmark trial in the United States is putting the relationship between children and social media under renewed scrutiny. Twenty-nine US states are taking on Meta, alleging the technology giant designed features on Facebook and Instagram to keep young users engaged, despite risks to their well-being. Meta strongly rejects allegations its platforms were designed to addict or harm children and says it has spent years developing safeguards for younger users. But beyond the legal arguments are families who say their children paid the ultimate price.
A landmark trial in the United States is putting the relationship between children and social media under renewed scrutiny. Twenty-nine US states are taking on Meta, alleging the technology giant designed features on Facebook and Instagram to keep young users engaged, despite risks to their well-being. Meta strongly rejects allegations its platforms were designed to addict or harm children and says it has spent years developing safeguards for younger users. But beyond the legal arguments are families who say their children paid the ultimate price.
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