Meta, Google Partner with Children's Brands

Meta Platforms and Alphabet Inc. are facing criticism for partnering with trusted children's brands like Sesame Workshop, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Highlights (magazine) to teach kids technology moderation. Critics argue that these partnerships are a 'reputation management strategy' while the companies continue to design addictive apps that make it difficult for young users to unplug. These tech giants have invested tens of millions of dollars in these organizations, which deliver lessons on personal responsibility. However, parent advocates and researchers, including Rose Bronstein and Emily Boddy, contend that the companies' business models rely on maximizing screen time, making their guidance biased. The partnerships are also weakening trust in these long-standing children's institutions. This comes as Meta Platforms and Alphabet Inc. face multiple lawsuits alleging their products harm youth mental health, with one case already resulting in a $6 million judgment against them. The sponsored materials, while including some digital safety instructions, are seen by some as normalizing smartphone ownership for young children and potentially priming them for future social media use.