Is social media addictive?
Meta is accused of harming young users with its addictive features.

Meta is accused of harming young users with its addictive features.

![The case’s outcome could set the stage for a wave of comparable lawsuits facing social media giants including Meta [Mike Blake/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-18T185549Z_625422236_RC2GOJAFDT1W_RTRMADP_3_SOCIALMEDIA-TRIAL-1771447061.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![A process server attempts to give papers to Meta CEO and Chairman Mark Zuckerberg as Zuckerberg arrives at Los Angeles Superior Court ahead of the social media trial tasked to determine whether social media giants deliberately designed their platforms to be addictive to children, in Los Angeles, on February 18, 2026. [Patrick T. Fallon/AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AFP__20260218__982Z9HR__v1__HighRes__MarkZuckerbergTakesStandInSocialMediaAddictionT_cropped-1771439774.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)




![A screenshot from social media shows the aftermath of a massive sinkhole that formed in Shanghai, China on Feb. 11, 2026.[@YesterdayBigcat/X]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-1770924555.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![The cases comes amidst a wave of 40 lawsuits brought against Meta alleging the social media giant prioritized profits over safety for kids [File: Dado Ruvic/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-09T103924Z_565968379_RC2VPGAKTI7X_RTRMADP_3_EU-META-PLATFORMS-AI-ANTITRUST-1770666518.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)

Trump has refused to apologise for a now-deleted video that depicted Michelle and Barack Obama as apes.
Critics say such actions and increasing corporate ownership of media is causing a backsliding in US media freedom.
Executives from X and Telegram have lashed out at Spanish prime minister over social media ban for minors.
Musk’s scathing attack on PM Pedro Sanchez comes after he announces strict new regulations for social media platforms.

Are we raising a generation that can’t comprehend simple sentences?
Investigation into social media platform looks at complicity in crimes including Holocaust denial and child pornography.
AJ chief warns algorithms fuel polarisation, unveils ‘Core Project’ at Web Summit Qatar.
Award-winning Palestinian journalist regains account with 1.4 million followers after surprise removal from platform.

Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, known for sharing videos from Gaza, says she’s regained access to her TikTok.

France is moving closer to banning social media for users under the age of 15, over growing concerns over mental health.