Social media companies face legal reckoning over mental health harms to children
Social media companies are facing legal challenges in courtrooms across the U.S. over allegations that their platforms deliberately addict children and harm their mental health.
The story so far
- Feb 18
- Feb 19
- Feb 20
How outlets cover it
4 outletsNot rated on the left–right scale. It describes Western party politics and doesn’t fit state media or outlets outside that system, so we show ownership and country instead.
Open questions and key claims
Adam Mosseri testified that he disagrees people can be addicted to social media platforms.
A man said to Mark Zuckerberg, 'you’ve been served with a summons and complaint'.
Zuckerberg claimed Meta had improved in identifying underage users.
Mosseri denied users could be “clinically addicted” to Instagram.
Zuckerberg said the company did not give its teams the goal of maximising time spent on its apps.
Lanier alleged that Zuckerberg misled Congress about the design of its social media platforms.
Mark Zuckerberg was handed a stack of papers upon arrival at a Los Angeles courthouse.
Plaintiffs argue Meta intentionally designed its social media platforms to be addictive.
Who and where
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