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Does Snapchat cause depression, anxiety, eating disorders? A court trial that tells bold story against social media platforms
Social media companies face thousands of lawsuits in federal and state courts brought by individuals, school districts, municipalities and other government entities alleging the companies knowingly sought to addict children to their platforms.
Meta settles with teen during trial testing claims social media caused depression, eating disorders
Meta Platforms has settled with a teen plaintiff who accused the company of designing Instagram and Facebook to be addictive, causing her mental health problems
Florida asks court to force Meta to change Facebook, Instagram for teens
In a filing in a Pasco County court, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier asked for a temporary injunction forcing Meta to identify and remove users in the state under the age of 14 from those platforms, limit teens there to two hours a day across all apps and turn off features like autoplay and infinite scroll for them.
Florida asks court to force Meta to change Facebook, Instagram for teens
Florida is advancing a lawsuit against Meta Platforms to enforce stricter protections for young users. The Attorney General seeks changes including limiting teen app usage and identifying underage users. Meta previously settled claims with other states, including changes for teen safety. Florida argues that the settlement was insufficient and will not prevent future harm. The proposed changes from Florida are stricter compared to those agreed upon in the settlement.
India’s media industry needs to move from scale to value: Prabhat
Prabhat emphasized the need for India's media and entertainment industry to create enduring economic value. He noted that overwhelming scale of content production is insufficient for sustainability and growth in creative enterprises. Greater investment in original intellectual property and improved protection against piracy were highlighted as essential.
ETtech Explainer: Decoding EU’s move to dismantle addictive technology for children
The proposed KIDS Act would set different access rules by age, bring AI companions and conversational chatbots under the bloc’s child-safety framework and require platforms to build safeguards into their services. The proposal comes as governments in several countries consider tighter restrictions on children’s access to social media and other online services.
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Delhi HC asks govt if it is contemplating policy to regulate addiction causing features on social media apps
The Delhi High Court sought the Centre's stance on regulating social media's addictive design elements. The court questioned if a policy is being considered for features like infinite scroll. A public interest litigation highlights concerns about engagement-maximising design on these platforms. The petition points to potential links between social media use and adolescent mental health issues. The court will hear the matter again after three weeks for further deliberation.
EU chief to unveil social media, gaming curbs for under-15s
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will on Wednesday unveil long-awaited plans to protect children from online harm by curbing access to social media, video-sharing platforms, games and AI chatbots for under-15s. Von der Leyen will use her annual keynote speech to the European Parliament to outline new EU legislation, which according to a draft document will set strict limits on access to social media, AI chatbots and online gaming for under-15s.
California governor signs law to limit children's social media risks
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed more than a dozen new laws on Thursday that address various aspects of children's safety online, including one that prohibits social media companies from serving addictive features to users under 16 years old. Instead, it defines "addictive" features as ones that are "psychologically exploitative" and prohibits social media companies from providing children with features such as infinite scroll, algorithmic recommendations and autoplay.
Portuguese group D3 sues Meta, TikTok and YouTube over addictive design
A spokesperson for Alphabet's Google, owner of YouTube, said providing people with "a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work" and pointed to tools such as "take a break" and bedtime reminders designed to help users manage viewing habits.
California bans addictive social media features for under-16s, AI chatbot toys
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed technology laws protecting children online. These measures restrict social media features designed for compulsive use. A four-year ban on AI companion chatbots in toys was also enacted. The legislation strengthens online privacy and parental controls for minors. These laws aim to ensure technology supports children's well-being.
ETtech Explainer | Meta’s $17.1 billion toll shifts focus from content to product design
Meta is now dealing with a substantial settlement in the United States in response to mounting child safety issues. This agreement is the result of claims regarding addictive design elements and the mental health implications for younger users. Countries around the world are tightening regulations on social media for minors, with India also contemplating age restrictions and scrutinising platform design.
29 states in US want Meta to change how Facebook and Instagram operate and give $1.4 trillion penalty; the case now threatens Mark Zuckerberg's AI plan
A groundbreaking federal trial has begun against Meta Platforms, with 29 US states alleging that the company intentionally designed its social media applications to foster compulsive usage among youth. The outcome of this case may influence Meta's approach to artificial intelligence and data utilization. The trial examines accusations that Meta crafted features specifically aimed at extending the engagement of young users.
Quote of the day by Susan Sontag: ‘It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects…’ – American author on why paying attention can make life richer, more curious and more alive
Susan Sontag, an influential American writer, advocated for deeper attention in life. She urged people to look harder and remain curious about the world. Her message remains relevant today amidst constant distractions and information overload. Sontag believed paying attention connects us with others and fosters vitality. This approach encourages a more engaged and meaningful experience of existence.
Meta, 29 states head to court in biggest test yet of youth social media litigation
The trial in Oakland, expected to last seven weeks, will test Colorado, Kentucky, California and New Jersey's allegations that Meta designed its platforms to keep young users hooked and misled consumers about their safety. It will also address claims by 29 states that the company illegally collected and used children's data in violation of federal law.
Meta disregarded its own research on teen harm, Tennessee tells jury
The lawsuit, filed by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti's office, seeks financial penalties and a court order directing Instagram to modify aspects of the platform that the state says are harmful to teens' mental health. If the jury finds the company liable, the trial will enter a second phase before the judge overseeing the trial, who will decide whether to order the company to pay financial penalties and make changes to Instagram to make it safer for teens.
UK announces social media curfew for older teens
The UK government will implement an overnight social media curfew for teenagers aged sixteen and seventeen. This new measure aims to protect young people from addictive online features and promote better sleep. Additionally, plans include disabling addictive features like infinite scrolling for older teenagers. These changes follow a recent ban on social media for children under sixteen. Similar bans have been introduced in other countries like Australia and Canada.
The Architecture of Addiction: What makes Meta’s apps so hard to put down
The regulator wants Meta to disable some features, add screen-time breaks, and make its recommendation system less engagement-obsessed. The tech giant faces fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue if it fails to comply.
How will the UK ban on social media for under 16s work?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer intends to ban social media platforms for children under sixteen. This move aims to protect young people's childhoods. Restrictions will also target gaming and livestreaming sites. The government plans to implement these measures before Christmas, with enforcement focused on platforms. Further details on age verification and potential curfews will be released soon.
Computerphobia, yes, it's a thing
Our relationship with computers is complex; it's not ignorance that fuels our fear, but rather our profound dependence on technology. This intricate dance between attraction and anxiety often stems from our compulsive need for digital affirmation.
YouTube argues it isn't social media in landmark tech addiction trial
YouTube, its lawyers said, is an entertainment platform more like Netflix than a social network like Facebook. People use the video streaming app to learn how to cook, knit and become pop stars, not endlessly scroll, they added.
YouTube argues it isn't social media in landmark tech addiction trial
YouTube, its lawyers said, is an entertainment platform more like Netflix than a social network like Facebook. People use the video streaming app to learn how to cook, knit and become pop stars, not endlessly scroll, they added.
EU accuses TikTok of 'addictive design,' seeks changes to protect users
The European Union has accused TikTok of breaching digital rules over “addictive design” features such as autoplay and infinite scroll. EU regulators said the app failed to properly assess risks to mental and physical health, including children. The European Commission said TikTok should change the basic design of its service, which the company denied.
No option 'off the table' as UK mulls social media ban for children
Britain is considering tougher limits on children’s social media use, with no ideas ruled out, including possible bans. Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that constant scrolling harms young people’s wellbeing and growth. Starmer said parents would be offered evidence-based advice on how long children aged five to 16 should spend on phones, tablets and computers, with separate guidance for under-fives to be published in April.
What is ‘popcorn brain’? Inside the alarming mental shift fueled by reels, shorts and infinite scroll
Excessive scrolling and constant digital stimulation are contributing to a rising condition psychologists call “popcorn brain.” Coined by researcher David Levy, the term describes a scattered mental state caused by dopamine-driven online platforms that reroute neural pathways and weaken focus. Experts warn, it leads to distraction, stress, mental fatigue and declining attention spans, worsened by short-form video consumption. They recommend digital limits, mindfulness, breaks and structured routines to protect cognitive health.
The last person from a pre-mobile age
In 2125, the last person to recall life before mobile phones—Mabel McGee, aged 137—is buried. A New Jersey native, Mabel got her first phone at 18 in 2006. She remembered a world without selfies, emojis, or constant connectivity. Her passing marks the end of an era: a time when people looked up at the stars, not down at screens.
Get smart by going back to dumb phone
Driven by Gen Z and millennials, dumb phones are making a comeback as individuals seek relief from constant connectivity and digital overload. This revival aligns with digital minimalism and the desire for healthier relationships with technology. The trend reflects a conscious effort to balance hyper-connectivity with simplicity, offering a respite from the demands of modern smartphone use.
Shein hit with complaint from EU consumer group over 'dark patterns'
The BEUC filed a complaint against Shein with the European Commission, accusing the fast-fashion giant of using “dark patterns” to push excessive buying. These include pop-ups, countdowns, and gamification tactics. BEUC says such strategies fuel mass consumption. Shein claims compliance efforts are underway, but faces broader EU scrutiny and potential fines over consumer and digital regulation breaches.
World's first rollable touch-screen tablet inspired by ancient scrolls developed
Beyond the innovative flexible display, the prototype also features a camera that allows users to employ the rolled-up MagicScroll as a gesture-based control device -- similar to that of Nintendo's 'Wiimote'.
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