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[TECHNOLOGY] · United States · 23 sources

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Americans favor stronger social media oversight and age verification

A Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that 61% of Americans support increased government oversight of social media companies, with bipartisan support from both Democrats (71%) and Republicans (62%). Public concern is particularly high regarding child safety, with 66% of respondents favoring laws that mandate age-verification tools to prevent children under 16 from accessing these platforms. Additionally, 85% of those surveyed believe social media can be addictive for children, and a similar majority associates platform use with potential mental health risks.

This public sentiment coincides with significant legal challenges for major tech firms. Meta Platforms is facing a trial over allegations that it designed products to addict young users, a case that could result in penalties up to $1.4 trillion. Separately, a New Mexico state court ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund. While tech trade groups like NetChoice have sued to block age-verification mandates on free speech grounds, more than a dozen U.S. states have already passed laws to regulate minors' access to social media.

Entities

Google · Meta Platforms · NetChoice · Reuters/Ipsos · TikTok · YouTube

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