A high-stakes dispute over teen safety is widening, as one of the world’s largest video platforms refuses to follow Meta’s proposed path.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan has rejected the possibility of the platform joining Meta’s multistate child safety settlement. He said that YouTube already has its own tools to protect underage users.
As highlighted by CNN
We have been investing in the safety of young people on our platform for a long time. People should expect YouTube to remain focused on these efforts.
– Neal Mohan
Meta has agreed to pay $18 billion to settle claims brought by several U.S. states. The plaintiffs argued that the company’s platforms contributed to addiction and exacerbated the mental health crisis among young people.
As part of the agreement, Meta called on YouTube and TikTok to introduce similar measures for teenagers:
Meta said it would pay only 70% of the agreed amount if YouTube and TikTok do not join the settlement. In that case, each company would be expected to pay approximately $6 billion. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has also said that the states could file lawsuits against both platforms if necessary.
Mohan pointed to YouTube’s existing tools. In particular, parents can limit the amount of time teenagers spend watching short videos. He said the company also works with outside experts who advise it on child safety features.
The YouTube chief noted that the platform differs substantially from Meta and that its users are increasingly watching content on televisions.
TikTok did not comment on calls to join Meta’s settlement. Rob Bonta’s office also did not respond to a request for comment on Mohan’s position.
Lawsuits over harm to minors
Separately, YouTube and Meta were found liable in a case heard by a Los Angeles court in March. The court concluded that the companies had deliberately fostered addiction in a young woman and harmed her mental health.
Both platforms plan to appeal the verdict. In addition, the companies continue to face hundreds of lawsuits from users, families, and school districts accusing them of harming minors.
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