tech
April 7, 2026
Children in the Grip of the Algorithm
US courts have largely sided with powerful companies until now, but the latest two rulings, made day after day, on lawsuits for social media addiction will also affect future disputes. Not only against them, but also their competitors, TikTok and Snap.
TL;DR
- Two recent court rulings in the US found Meta and Alphabet liable for the negative impact of their social media platforms on young people's health.
- Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in New Mexico for misleading users about platform safety and enabling child exploitation.
- In Los Angeles, Meta and Alphabet were found negligent in designing harmful social media platforms, leading to a $6 million judgment ($4.2 million for Meta, $1.8 million for Google).
- These rulings could set a precedent for future lawsuits against social media companies, including TikTok and Snap.
- Legal experts compare these cases to past lawsuits against tobacco companies, suggesting a potential turning point in corporate accountability.
- Meta and Alphabet plan to appeal, citing free speech concerns regarding their algorithms and design choices.
- Several countries are already implementing regulations on social media use for minors, with varying approaches to age restrictions and feature limitations.