SBS News In Depth
Meta challenged by parents in historic courtroom reckoning artwork

Meta challenged by parents in historic courtroom reckoning

SBS News In Depth
07:35
Play episode

Show notes

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.

More from this show

More
  1. Teachers treated with 'contempt': how the manosphere is changing school students’ behaviour

    Teachers are frequently being targeted by misogyny, sexism and gendered violence at school, according to new research from Monash University. Most of those surveyed said so-called…

    05:00
  2. What's in a word? Recording unique Australian regionalisms

    Across Australia it's not uncommon to hear debate over whether what you're ordering at the fish and chip shop is a potato cake or a potato scallop, or whether you're putting on bat…

    08:30
  3. Why Australia Post is in the fight of its life and what it means for consumers

    Australia Post CEO Paul Graham says "we are in the fight of our lives" as it navigates structural change as letter volumes collapse and fierce parcel competition squeezes margins.…

    19:54
  4. Why's the NT the last Australian jurisdiction to legalise voluntary assisted dying?

    Following a late night conscience vote, the Northern Territory became the last jurisdiction to legalise Voluntary Assisted Dying in Australia. SBS reporter Angelica Waite spoke wit…

    15:59
  5. Drug-induced deaths in Australia have reached a record high. What needs to change?

    2024 saw the highest number of drug-induced deaths on record in Australia with more than 2,500 lives lost that year. Australia's Annual Overdose Report reveals older Australians ac…

    08:49
  6. 'Butcher of Bosnia': convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić dies

    Ratko Mladić, the Bosnian Serb commander responsible for Srebrenica massacre has died in prison at the age of 84. Mladić, nicknamed the 'Butcher of Bosnia', spent years in hiding b…

    06:52
Now Playing