Meta executive admits overstating Instagram teen safety feature usage

Meta is defending itself against accusations from 29 US states that it deliberately engineered its platforms to attract and retain young users while extracting their data for commercial gain. The legal challenge has intensified following admissions by an Instagram leader that the company publicised a youth safety feature without adequately disclosing how rarely it was actually being used by teenagers.

The revelation underscores ongoing concerns about Meta's business practices targeting minors, particularly regarding how the company markets safety measures to regulators and the public. Critics argue the social media giant prioritises user engagement metrics over child welfare, despite repeated assurances that protecting young people remains a core commitment.

Meta has consistently maintained that its products include robust parental controls and age-appropriate safeguards. However, the states' coalition contends that internal company data contradicts these public claims, suggesting Meta's design decisions systematically promote excessive usage among teenagers regardless of potential harms.

The legal action represents one of the most significant challenges to Meta's operations in the United States, with potential implications for how the company operates globally. Regulators worldwide, including in Southeast Asia, have increasingly scrutinised social media platforms' handling of youth privacy and wellbeing.