Tech giants Meta and Google funded trusted children's brands to teach responsible tech use. This occurred even as their apps were designed to be difficult to disengage from. Critics argue these partnerships encourage dependence on social media. This strategy faces scrutiny amid lawsuits alleging harm to youth mental health from addictive product design.

Tech giants Meta and Google funded trusted children's brands to teach responsible tech use. This occurred even as their apps were designed to be difficult to disengage from.…

Google and Meta's sponsorships are fueling criticism that the companies are finding new ways to encourage kids to become dependent on social media.