What could change for U.S. teens on Instagram and Facebook
In a landmark development, Meta reached a proposed settlement Wednesday with U.S. states over claims that it designed Facebook and Instagram to hook children.
Aug 26, 2026
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Internet
Page 3: Research news on Online child safety regulation
Online child safety regulation addresses legal, technical, and policy frameworks designed to protect minors on digital platforms, particularly social media and search services. Central themes include statutory minimum ages for account creation, mandatory age verification and age assurance technologies, and safety-by-design obligations such as teen defaults and PG-13 content gating. The field also examines platform liability for addictive design and youth mental health harms, constitutional and human-rights challenges to age-gating laws, and the effectiveness of national and regional regulatory regimes in reducing online risks to children.
Internet
Meta, U.S. states agree $18 bn settlement in landmark teen safety case
Meta agreed to pay a coalition of U.S. states as much as $16.7 billion and to impose sweeping new limits on how teenagers use Facebook and Instagram, according to a court filing Wednesday that ends a landmark trial in California.
Aug 26, 2026
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Internet
Social media use on the rise among Australian under-16s after ban: Data
Australian under-16s are increasing their use of social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok despite a world-leading ban, data provided by a parental control software company showed Wednesday.
Aug 26, 2026
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Business
Meta and U.S. states discuss settlement in landmark social media trial: Report
Social media giant Meta has been in discussions with multiple U.S. states to settle a major child privacy and consumer protection case out of court, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.
Aug 26, 2026
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Internet
Some of Meta's safety tools were 'designed to fail': Witness
A former employee testified Wednesday that some of Meta's safety tools for Facebook and Instagram were "designed to fail," contradicting the company's defense strategy in a landmark trial in California.
Aug 20, 2026
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Business
Meta hooked children and misled the public: Prosecutors
Meta hooked and exploited children, a federal court heard Tuesday in the trial of the social media giant on charges that it deliberately made Instagram and Facebook addictive to young users.
Aug 18, 2026
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Machine learning & AI
OpenAI introduces ChatGPT for Teens, promising a more age-appropriate chatbot
OpenAI on Tuesday introduced a version of ChatGPT designed for teenagers—the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence—who are already using it for schoolwork, questions about daily life and even companionship.
Aug 18, 2026
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Business
Meta meets its own 'tobacco' moment as jury selection kicks off trial
Jury selection kicked off Wednesday in a California courtroom where Instagram and Facebook owner Meta will defend itself against allegations of harming children in a new trial that experts describe as social media's Big Tobacco ...
Aug 12, 2026
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Internet
Social media and self-harm: Study finds need for more control over content and safe spaces for connection and support
There are increasing calls for tighter legislation and restrictions on social media use, particularly for children and young people. Evidence shows potential harms coexist on social media platforms alongside opportunities ...
Aug 11, 2026
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Business
Complaints about online platforms often go nowhere. AI could actually be part of the solution
You know the feeling. Your account is suspended, your refund request is refused, or you're still being charged for a canceled subscription.
Aug 11, 2026
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