Issued on: 09/02/2026 - 22:55Modified: 10/02/2026 - 12:52

The world's biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harm caused to children who use their platforms. Opening statements for the first trial, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, began on Monday. Instagram's parent company Meta and Google's YouTube will face claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Frances Haugen, a data scientist, former whistleblower at Facebook and advocate for social media accountability.

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