Meta to defend against US lawsuit accusing platforms of harming children

LOS ANGELES — Meta will defend itself this week in a new U.S. federal lawsuit accusing the company of harming children through its social media platforms. The case, set to be heard in Los Angeles federal court, also names YouTube, TikTok and Snap in similar allegations. Plaintiffs allege that Meta's applications, including Instagram, negatively affect children's mental health, encourage addictive use and fall short in protecting young users. Meta has rejected the claims, saying its products include safety measures and that it has met its responsibilities. The trial opens at a time when U.S. courts and regulators have stepped up scrutiny of how major platforms design services for minors. A ruling in the case could shape how technology companies approach content policies and safety tools aimed at children. No further details on the schedule or defendants' initial statements were immediately available.