Statement on Meta’s Reaction to Recent Lawsuits
SAN FRANCISCO, June 2, 2026—Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer issued the following statement on Meta's response to recent lawsuits alleging the company deliberately designed products to addict children:
"Meta's announcement should be understood in the important context that two juries, one in California and one in New Mexico, recently found Meta liable for harming children. The company is also facing over 2,000 more pending lawsuits in the coming months and years related to their products' harms to kids. Meta did not need to poll a small segment of parents to know what changes it needs to make its products safe. Years of whistleblower testimony and internal documentation brought to light through litigation already revealed that information.
"What is needed is independent oversight and accountability. That is why New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez's effort to secure independent oversight of Meta through a court-appointed safety monitor, as well as any additional platform reforms and safeguards ordered by the court, are so important. As part of an ongoing legal effort focused on child safety and sexual exploitation on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, this review would provide the kind of transparent, external scrutiny necessary to determine whether Meta is truly making the changes needed to protect our kids.
"The real test is not yet another press announcement from Meta, but whether independent experts can verify that the company is finally addressing the risks it has known about for years and whether it will finally choose to put kids' well-being first."
About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the age of apps, algorithms, and AI. We rate, educate, and advocate to protect and prepare kids online. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users globally, over 1.4 million educators, and more than 100,000 schools worldwide every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.