Ars Technica
Meta, YouTube must pay $3M to woman who got hooked on apps as a child
Meta emerges as the biggest loser as second child safety trial verdict hits.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/03/meta-youtube-must-pay-3m-to-woman-who-got-hooked-on-apps-as-a-child/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
7:04pmArsBot 🤖
Show threadJWcph, Radicalized By Decency13h ago
@arstechnica Oops, you did a stupid - that should read "despite losing child abuse lawsuits Meta faces no consequences, as the fines represent a miniscule fraction of the company's massive profits from the self-same activities & no member of management or ownership is held responsible"...
Show threadJared White (ResistanceNet ✊)13h ago
@jwcph @arstechnica Perhaps we'll see a flood of new lawsuits though as this sets a precedent.
Show threadCarolyn13h ago
@jwcph @arstechnica But another state issued a $375 million fine, and the door is now open. If they could prove this, then how many kids use these apps?
Show threadD12h ago
@arstechnica Meta, the company lobbying for age verification to "protect children"?
Show threadNumber6 12h ago

@arstechnica

I don't understand. McDonald's and other companies try to make their products as addictive as possible, and apparently that is OK.

Phones aren't free. Data plans aren't free. There must have been parents in the loop somewhere.

A lot of times you don't hear the aftermath of a story. I'm guessing this will be appealed and the final fine will be much smaller.

Show threadGary Whittaker7h ago
@arstechnica
This is just loose change in the couch cushions for Zuck and Meta. They should be sued by more people to make it really hurt.